He attended Mound Springs Grade School and was a 1953 graduate of Clinton High School.
On March 30, 1963, John was united in marriage to Helen Marie Hite at the Magnolia Baptist Church, Magnolia, MO. To this union they were blessed with one son, Steven; daughter-in-law, Kimberly; and grandchildren, Blake Andrew and wife Anna, and Bethany Ann and partner Hayden.
John grew up on the family farm helping with livestock and garden produce. On a few occasions he took a pickup load of produce to sell to stores, restaurants and shoppers in various towns. Growing up on Grand River he took advantage of hunting, fishing, swimming as well as crossing the river to visit relatives on the other side. He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving in Alaska before it became a state. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, he returned to the farm to help his parents.
John and his brother, Frank worked at a grocery store in California for a short period of time. In the late 1960’s John and Helen co-owned a service station with Frank and Mary. John was a construction worker involved in building houses, road, and bridges. In 1990 John and Helen constructed boat storage business and operated it until 2012. He raised cattle most of his life until 2008 when he decided he could no longer handle the animals. John loved working in the garden, hoping to have the first tomato or other vegetable of the season. He always enjoyed any bounty. Special pride was in raising watermelons and cantaloupe until the varmints eating them were hard to control.
Family was important to John. He was raised in a very close knit family, he was always concerned and care about everyone. He enjoyed family get togethers. During those times, the years melted and at times the five siblings recounted childhood events, reverting to tactics of picking on one another. They never outgrew their childhood. Blake and Bethany were a joy. He always looked forward to their visits in the summer. As they grew, John enjoyed watching them participate in sports and activities. Visits from Steve, Kim, Blake and Anna, Bethany and Hayden and their friends were treasured.
In addition to his wife Helen, surviving are one son, Steven and daughter-in-law, Kim; grandchildren, Blake and wife Anna and Bethany and partner, Hayden; one brother, Dale Nichols and wife Gayle; one sister-in-law, Mary Nichols; two brothers-in-law, Allen Hite and wife, Jackie and James Hite; sister-in-law, Elsie Bowman; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Frank Nichols and James Nichols; sister, Pauline Nichols Silver; niece, Shirley Nichols Snorgrass; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bruce and Alma Hite; sisters-in-law, Judy Nichols, Louise Haun, JoAnn Hite, Pauline Hite, Karen Hite and Sara Hite; brothers-in-law, Lloyd Hite, Arthur Haun, Cecil Hite, George Bowman and Noble Silvers; nephews, James Hite and David Hite; and nieces Karla Hite and Kaylin Hite.
Military services will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 31, 2026 at the Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home, Clinton. Following the military service will be a Celebration of Life until 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to Novus Hospice or Parks Chapel Cemetery, and these donations may be left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left online at www.bradleyhadley.com.