James “Jim” Carl Joseph Nichols, 89, died on Monday, July 30, 2018 at his home in Salisbury.

He was born May 22, 1929 in Cooleemee, the son of the late Carl Nichols and Bessie Nichols Pease. He always said he got his education in the carnival. As a young teen he traveled around the state working and supporting himself. After graduating from Mocksville High School, he married the love of his life, Daisy Mae Irvin of Mocksville.  Her parents, Lawrence and Martha, loved him as their own son. He sold cars for Mr. Irvin and joined the Naval Reserves to support his growing family.  He served for 25 years in the Naval Reserves. In 1960 he began his 37.5 year career as a State Farm Insurance agent, moving the family to Salisbury. A true people person, he was generous, humorous and kind. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be missed by his family. His children are Cathy Nichols Wilson (Stan), Jay Carl Irvin Nichols (Jane), and Camille Butner (Steve), 6 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church where he enjoyed many of the senior citizens activities with his wife, Daisy. He had served his church and his Lord as Deacon, Sunday School director, youth leader and finance committee leader. He served his community in the Mocksville Jaycees as president and state director and as a Boy Scout leader. In Salisbury he served as president of the Breakfast Optimist Club, worked with the Rowan County Special Olympics, was a life member of the Salisbury Elks Lodge, and was a life member of the Masonic Lodge.

Also surviving: a sister, Earlene Deadmon (Baxter) of Irmo, S.C.; 2 brothers, David “Shorty” Nichols of Cooleemee and Sam Nichols (Shelby) of Advance;   sister-in-law, Darleen Nichols of Warsaw, Va.

He was also preceded in death by a brother, Jackie Lee Nichols

A memorial service will be conducted Friday, Aug. 3 at 2 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church sanctuary with the Rev. Rhodes Woolly, the Rev. Laura Henrik and Wade Rouzer officiating. The family will have a celebration of life gathering in the Peeler Hall following the service.

Memorials: St. John’s Lutheran Children’s Ministry, 200 W. Innes St., Salisbury, 28144; or Faithful Friends Animal Sanctuary, 220 Grace Church Rd, Salisbury, 28147.

Condolences: www.summersettfuneral.com.