Melvin LeRoy (Nick) Nichols
Melvin LeRoy (Nick) Nichols
Melvin LeRoy (Nick) Nichols, age 86 of West Plains, Missouri, entered eternal rest on Saturday, January 15, 2022. Melvin was born on January 4, 1936 on the family farm located along the banks of Barren Fork Creek in Thomasville, Missouri.
Two themes characterize Melvin’s life: strength and loving sacrifice. His early days on the farm were filled by working, fishing and hunting alongside his brother Charles. His physical strength, strong work ethic, love of family, and penchant for telling a good story came from working the fields, baling hay, and attending public school in Thomasville.
As a high school standout, switch-hitter, Melvin was offered a full scholarship to the University of Missouri. His humble, hardworking nature, instead, led him to begin earning money working for the Union Pacific Railroad in Kansas. On a return visit, while driving the back roads of southern Missouri, he had a providential meeting with a girl in search of blackberries named Wilma who was riding in the back of a pickup truck. The truck stopped in front of the post office where a soda was shared leading to a long distance, letter-writing relationship with his first envelope simply addressed to “Wilma Kildow/Dalton, Arkansas.” Melvin and Wilma were married in Hamil, Arkansas on January 5, 1959 after a courtship of only 13 dates.
In 1968, the bootstrap business “Nick’s” was founded in West Plains with sales of Vietnam-era military surplus. The storefront was initiated with a small amount of cash, a truckload of combat boots, and an abundance of determination. Within months, Melvin relocated the thriving business to a historic building on Washington Avenue. His expanded inventory featured an eclectic mix of musical instruments, western boots, and diamond jewelry. Melvin’s honesty, trading skills, and keen eye for unique and useful items led to a large base of loyal customers, many of whom stopped by just to “visit awhile with Nick.”
Many locals have fond memories from the 1970s of playing on Nick’s sponsored youth and adult city-league sports teams. There are also teammates of Melvin’s who will remember the opposing players calling out, “Walk this one!” or “Move back to the fence!” when he would come up to the bat.
Shortly after retiring, Melvin made family and community memories with his restoration of the 1896 cast iron molasses mill used by his father and grandfather. Howell Valley students, including his own grandchildren, were invited to witness a horse-drawn method of molasses making, with the sorghum cane being grown, milled, and cooked on his own farm. Melvin was an expert gardener who shared his massive harvests.
In the family home, Melvin provided a strong nurturing legacy. He never missed his children’s or grandchildren’s school plays, concerts or sporting events. He often took his children and grandchildren on wonderful adventures, whether fishing at the creek close by or camping at National Parks far away, including a month-long, camper van trip to Alaska. He was a demonstrative supporter of others’ passions and pursuits. His gifting of musical instruments, lessons, art supplies, animals, or sporting equipment launched happy and successful lifelong pursuits for his children and grandchildren.
At 70 years of age, despite recently recovering from a heart attack, Melvin designed, planned, and constructed a lovely, practical home to share with the love of his life and companion of 63 years. The family finds comfort in knowing he lived a long, mostly healthy life. His signature sendoff involved a firm loving hug followed by a breathtaking, hearty “Papa-pat” on the back.
Melvin is survived by his loving wife, Wilma Nichols, of the home; three children, Rhonda Richter, Mark Nichols (wife Kristy) of West Plains, and Janet Godon (husband Ken) of Columbia, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Philipp Richter (wife Erica), Kelly Pompei (husband Kyle), Alexandra Richter, Ransom and Justin Nichols, Lauren and Lucas Godon; two great-grandchildren, Nolan Richter and Landon Pompei; brother, Charles Nichols; along with many nieces and nephews.
Melvin was preceded in death by his parents Charlie and Nellie Nichols, and son-in-law, Juergen Richter.
A future public celebration of life will be planned. Burial will be privately observed with family at Howell Memorial Cemetery. Online condolences can be left at Robertsondrago.com. Be kind and take care of each other.
Kari Moore
January 17, 2022 @ 5:06 pm
Thoughts to the family. I met Nick through Morlan Shell car runs. I sure enjoyed visiting with him. Very kind man.
Donna Newberry
January 18, 2022 @ 11:38 am
Sorry for your loss. Many good times playing women’s city volleyball many years ago sponsored by Nick’s.
Noble and Donna Newberry
Darrin O Reed
January 19, 2022 @ 11:41 am
Nick was a great man who left this world leaving a great family. He will be missed greatly by all who knew him.
Janet Godon
January 24, 2022 @ 8:16 pm
Darrin,
Thank you so much for your beautiful and caring comments. It brings us all great comfort to know he was so highly thought of by so many people. I hope you are doing well. – Janet
Janice Vobornik
January 19, 2022 @ 2:35 pm
I am so sorry for the loss of Melvin he was a great man and so loved by all a great husband grandfather and father., brother cousin friend . He will be missed . Love Jan Vobornik
Barbara Cook
January 19, 2022 @ 8:14 pm
I’m so sad to learn of Nick’s passing. I was blessed to spend lots of time with him and Wilma through our kids attending Howell Valley School together.We both shared January 4 as our birthday. I know a huge hole in the family has been made with his passing. Much love and many hugs to his family from the Cooks.
Amber(Cozort)Redburn
January 19, 2022 @ 4:24 pm
Mrs. Nichols, Rhonda and Family, Mark/Kristy and Family,
Our deepest sympathy to all of you on the passing of Melvin. My parents, Norris/Ivene Cozort, and us are keeping all of you in our daily prayers. May God comfort, encourage, support, and give each of you peace. May God bless all of you.
In Christian Love,
Norris/Ivene Cozort
Tim, Amber, and Corby Redburn
Robin Cope
January 19, 2022 @ 5:43 pm
My family is related to Melvin ( Nick) Nichols. Always enjoyed his store on Washington Avenue and our visits with Nick at a grocery store, reunion or Old Time Music Festival. He was a kind, gentle soul. Some sweet day. Robin & Gary Cope
Sherri Holman Green
January 19, 2022 @ 5:45 pm
I am so sorry for the loss of Melvin. My dad, Bob Holman loved his talks and visits with him and Wilma. My dad was VERY blessed with the love and friendships with his cousins from West Plains. John and I’s prayers are with you.
Sherri Holman Green & John Walterman
Hassel and Alice Vandergriff
January 19, 2022 @ 6:50 pm
We are so sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful gentleman, and he will be very much missed. We pray that God will bless and comfort you.
Larry Rowe
January 20, 2022 @ 9:57 am
I’m very sorry to hear of Nicks passing. My Dad used to take me in to the store on occasion in the very early 70s. They were acquainted and while they were visiting I would peruse the store for all the things I wanted. My first .22 rifle was purchased there and I still have it. That was a very happy day and Nick was always very kind and attentive even to a 12 year old that asked a lot of questions. He was definitely a gentleman and I wish you comfort through the grieving process. God will bless you with many fond memories of a very kind soul.
Wayne and Gail Sowell
January 20, 2022 @ 10:05 am
Wilma and Family…Wayne and I are so sorry to hear of your loss of Melvin. We enjoyed visiting with both of you all so much. He was a fine man ….a good husband and father. We especially enjoyed having Janet as a part of our family during her high school years ….she and Leigh Ann were so close. I know you will miss him greatly but so glad you have such wonderful memories. We send our love to all of you.
Janet Godon
January 23, 2022 @ 1:25 pm
Wayne and Gail, Thank you so much for your kind, comforting words and thoughts. We all feel incredibly blessed to have had dad in our lives for so long. He will be in our hearts forever. I hope you are both well. – Janet
Kay Garrett
January 21, 2022 @ 10:16 pm
Melvin and his entire family were and are such a vital part of the Howell Valley family. Melvin was also so friendly and seemed so unflappable and steady. I am sure he was the best of husbands and fathers as he was neighbor. May you find comfort in your good memories. Kay Garrett
Janet Godon
January 24, 2022 @ 8:11 pm
Hi Kay,
Thank you for your beautiful sentiments. I love how you have described him as “unflappable and steady.” When we were younger we called him a worrywart. He sometimes had good reason to worry but most often he just wanted to know a detail or two to put his mind at ease. He was always supportive including when he didn’t love the idea of his children traveling or living abroad for extended periods of time. My favorite response was dad asking in a very calm manner, “What do I need to be worried about while you’re on that trip?” when I told him I was traveling to South America to try and summit Aconcagua. When things did go wrong, including “normal” daily life upsets or a bungled adventure” he certainly responded with unflappable tendencies in offering whatever was needed to make everything right in our world. He was the best of fathers.
He always spoke so highly of your family and I know he enjoyed your friendship and assistance provided over the years. Take care and stay well. – Janet