Thomas R. “Tom” Nichols passed away peacefully on Nov. 24, 2024 at his home in Hermiston at the age of 79 after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s/MSA.
He was born on Aug. 1, 1945 in Norfolk, Neb. 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, Mont., 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 1983, they moved to Hermiston. 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 and 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 on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 at 11 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 485 W. Locust Ave., Hermiston.
Burial will follow at the Hermiston Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 515 S.W. Seventh St., Hermiston, Ore., 97838.
Please share memories of Tom with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
