Claude S. Nichols

Dr. Claude S. Nichols, Jr. went to his eternal home with God on Tuesday, September 14, 2021.  Claude fell asleep Monday night next to Mary, his wife of 66 years, and woke up in Heaven.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, October 2 at 2:00 pm at Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home, Gainesville, Texas. No visitation or reception will be held.

After graduating from SMU and Baylor Dental School, Claude married his true love Mary, joined the medical branch of the US Air Force as a dentist, and almost immediately shipped off to his first assignment in Tokyo, Japan.  In short order followed assignments to Colorado, England, Alabama, Ohio, and Florida.  After 25 years in the Air Force, he briefly taught dental hygiene before returning to dentistry with the Air Force as a civilian.

Along this varied road Claude made the church the hometown for his family where they associated with people who shared their values and knew the same stories.  They sang hymns and said prayers with British accents and southern accents. They enjoyed potluck dinners, gospel meetings, Sunday school, devotionals, church camp and youth groups on three continents. Claude taught Bible classes and led Marriage Encounters.  He served as a deacon or as an elder for over 50 years, preaching when the minister was out of town and mowing the church lawn if needed.  His was a steady hand with the Word of God and a comforting arm around many a shoulder.  He was a useful servant for Jesus Christ, known for his quiet and wise leadership.

God has been the foundation and refuge of Claude’s life.  But the light of his eye, his joy and delight were his wife, Mary, and his three daughters and their families.  No one could ask for a better father or grandfather.  Loving, attentive, and tender-hearted, he invested in what his children were doing.  Whether driving a truck full of band instruments or cheering at a game, they knew he was there for them.  Mary and Claude took their warm, successful marriage and helped countless other couples through their leadership in Marriage Encounter weekends.

Following his retirement from service with the Air Force, Claude and Mary came home to Texas and settled in Gainesville.  They raised cattle with their sons-in-law, pampered lots of good dogs, sponsored children from Christ’s Haven Children’s Home, served with several fine churches, and ministered to the community through a soup kitchen and VISTO.

Claude was preceded in death by his parents Claude and Elma Nichols, his son-in-law, Harold Spragg, and great-grandson, Cody Champion.  He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann McGlone Nichols; his three daughters and their spouses, Karen and David Sampson, Laura Spragg, and Claudia and Glen Fink; his seven grandchildren and their spouses, Valorie and Dean Champion, Meghan and Justin Mihalyi, Stephanie and Anthony Rifaat, Sam and Abigail Fink, Abby Fink, John Sampson and Matt and Heather Sampson; and six great-grandchildren, Dylan Archer, Dawson Archer, Silas Mihalyi, Luke Champion, Logan Champion, and Ella Sampson.