Thomas "Tom" R Nichols

Thomas Ross Nichols, age 79, passed away peacefully at his home on November 24, 2024 after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s/MSA.  He was born on August 1, 1945 in Norfolk, Nebraska to Edward and Elvira Nichols.  He met the love of his life, Kathy Kohtz in sixth grade.  They were married and spent the next 59 amazing years together raising their family.

Tom loved to hunt and fish.  He loved spending time with his family and was always ready for an adventure. After their marriage, he began his career in law enforcement by joining the Nebraska State Police.  When the opportunity presented itself, he applied and was accepted by the Alaska State Police and served as a State Trooper working in both Patrol and Fish and Game divisions.  He and his family lived in Fairbanks, Yakutat, and Juneau.  

Tom became a pilot, patrolled  the waters of Alaska on many different vessels and had too many adventures to list while patrolling the wilds of the Alaskan Wilderness.  

In 1979 Tom and Kathy decided to move the family to Sula, Montana where they managed Lost Trail Hot Springs Resort.  While the resort was the perfect place for the kids to grow up complete with a hot springs pool, restaurant, horses, and a ski area six miles away, it was a huge undertaking for Tom and Kathy as they had never run a resort but together they learned, worked and tirelessly managed the resort and a family of five kids.   

In June of 1983, they moved to Hermiston, Oregon.  He began a new career path as a financial planner and started his own financial planning business, retiring in 2018.  

Tom was very active in the community.  He was a huge supporter of Hermiston High School where he served on the High School Football chain crew with Bethlehem Lutheran men’s group, He volunteered his time at HHS track meets, typically running the pole vault pit.  

Tom was an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church.  His faith was the pinnacle of his life and he raised his family with Jesus being at the center of everything.  

Tom is survived by his wife, Kathy, his children Nancy (Todd) Butler, Paula (Seth) Cooney, Dawn (Curtis) Johnston, Ross Nichols, Bethany (Mike) Mayer,  and his siblings, Jim, Mike, and Mary.  He leaves behind 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on Friday, December 6th at 11:00 a.m. 

Burial will follow at the Hermiston Cemetery, Hermiston, Oregon.

Memorial contributions can be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 515 SW 7th St., Hermiston, 97838.  

Please share memories of Tom with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, Oregon is in care of arrangements.

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