James Nichols

James Donald Nichols (Jim) of Hendersonville, TN passed away peacefully on July 7, 2026 with his family by his side.

Jim was born August 23, 1948 to Eldene and Cliff Nichols in Little Rock, Arkansas. He graduated from North Little Rock High School in 1966 and the University of Arkansas in 1970 with a degree in Deaf Education. He married his wife of 56 years, Sara Jane Byers, on June 6, 1970. Jim and Sara had two children, Lauren and Mark, while in North Little Rock, eventually moving to Hendersonville, TN in 1985. He worked in the steel industry for more than 35 years, ultimately working with his friends and partners Alan Brown, Greg Forkum, and Judy Jones while serving as Vice President of Sales for Rebel Steel.

A member of Hendersonville First United Methodist Church and the Poe Williams Sunday School class for 41 years, Jim served the church on various committees and as a youth group trip chaperone often blurring the lines between responsible adult and fun-loving participant.

Family was everything to Jim and being a husband and father was his greatest joy. He was a soccer coach, Indian Guides and Princesses dad, incredible birthday party organizer and theme cake decorator, birthday party invitation designer, Halloween costume maker (including Dorothy’s Ruby Red Slippers), doll house contractor, go-cart and playhouse builder and more. He hosted Clark W. Griswold-themed family movie nights and even topped a Christmas turkey with an intricate pastry crust complete with green sprinkled Christmas trees and red sprinkled candy canes. His Christmas decorating and gift wrapping skills are legendary.

He was “Pops” to two adoring grandchildren. He enjoyed grandchild sleepovers with “Big Ol’ Country Breakfasts”, countless Culvers and Wendy’s trips, and endured hours of Dora the Explorer. He helped design and build a weather station and a very detailed train set complete with a town, mountains, and the Hogwarts Express. He crafted a doll house complete with wallpaper and stained hardwood floors.

His desire to create a haven for his family was manifested in continuous home improvement projects. Friends often teased him that because he had re-painted the interior so many times the house surely lost usable square footage. He proudly showed unsuspecting visitors the 145 miter cuts required for each column in the basement. Jim Nichols loved the process and created beauty.

Jim loved cars--a 2006 Corvette 3LT was his fastest, but his “Razorback Red” Jeep Wrangler was his favorite. He loved music and loved to sing. He was the family’s best letter writer and official poet-laureate. He loved the Razorbacks and the Vols (as long as they weren’t playing the Hogs). His favorite place was a sunny beach.

The last several years brought health challenges for both Jim and Sara, yet he faithfully watched over and took care of Sara right up until his last week. His care and concern for her were tireless and with true devotion and serve as an example to his children and grandchildren.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, son James Mark, and long time friend Gary Goldsby. He is survived by his devoted daughter Lauren Nichols Batson (Todd) and grandchildren John Todd and Sara Catherine Batson all of Franklin, TN, sister Brenda (Henry) Forthman, and nephews Tim Forthman and Phillip Forthman of Little Rock, AR.

A celebration of life will be held on August 9th from 2-4 at Bluegrass Yacht and Country Club in Hendersonville, TN. Stories will be told and laughter is sure to be heard, so please come and celebrate Jim’s life with us.

The family would like to acknowledge the nurses and staff at NHC Cool Springs. We will be forever grateful for the love, care, and concern shown for both Jim and Sara over the past two and a half years. You are angels among us.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the “In Christ’s Way Fund” at Hendersonville First United Methodist Church at 217 East Main Street, Hendersonville, TN 37075.