John Jefferson Nichols

Nichols, John Jefferson was born in Seymour, Texas February 19, 1920 and went to be with the Lord on August 22, 2010. John, the second eldest of seven children, grew up on a small ranch in Baylor County riding and breaking horses. After high school, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps where he worked on projects at the Grand Canyon. John joined the Army in 1940. He was a member of the 60th Coast Artillery. He received the Silver Star for courageous service on the first day of the War on Corregidor. He also received two bronze stars and a purple heart. Corregidor was surrendered on May 6, 1942, and John and his fellow soldiers were taken prisoner by the Japanese and shipped to Mukden, Manchuria, where the temperature was 40 degrees below zero in the winter. John spent over 3 years at the POW camp in Mukden, where he endured horrific conditions and treatment. After the war, John met his wife, Patsy, in Seymour, Texas and they married October 6, 1946 after a 6 week courtship. They had a loving and caring marriage based on Christian principles. John was a lineman for the telephone company after the War, then worked in insurance and real estate for many years. He was active in several POW organizations. He was State Commander for the American Ex Prisoners of War and attended many national conventions. He was also active in his church and community. John was preceded in death by his mother, Maude Smith Nichols; his father, John Jefferson Nichols; his sister, Joetta Thompson; and his brothers, Mack and Bob Nichols. John is survived by his wife, Patsy (Welch), of 63 years; daughter and son-in-law, Candy & Jack Kellam; sister Mary Frost and husband Jack; sister Sue Nichols; sister Betty Whitaker and husband Lee; sister-in-law Jackie Nichols; and many other sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Forney, Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 1:30pm. Family will receive friends at New Hope Funeral Home, Wednesday, August 25th from 6pm " 8pm. Floral tributes are welcomed or memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church Forney Building Fund.