Nicholas Francis Shoults, age 62 of Springfield, Missouri left this world on Sunday December 10, 2017. Nicholas suffered a fatal injury from a mountain biking accident. Nicholas left this world in the company of his son Will, doing a sport he loved.

Nicholas was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Nicholas grew up in St. Louis and St. Clair Missouri. He attended medical school and residency at the University of Missouri. Nicholas was a practicing general surgeon at Mercy Health since 1989.

Nicholas had a unique love for life and adventure. He had a dedication to his career that was mirrored in how his patients and coworkers felt for him. He spent endless hours providing outstanding surgical care, and holding the hand of many of his patients and their families. He sought to excel, and be the best at what he did, and in his last day, countless coworkers have confirmed what his family always knew; that he truly was the best. His coworkers knew him best as “Nick at Night”. He stated to Velvet recently: “When it is my time, I’ll be ready-it’s been a great ride, and I’ve been blessed.

Nicholas had a greater love than his career. He was blessed with the greatest gift: his children. He enjoyed time with them in many settings. He was an adventurer who wanted all out of life he could get. He snowboarded, wakeboarded, rode bicycles, motorcycles, hiked, kayaked and anything that posed a challenge. He pushed all around him to enjoy every minute of every day, and be thankful for those days. He will be greatly missed, but thanked.

Nicholas leaves behind his best friend of 26 years, his wife Velvet. They had a lifetime love and affection spanning many settings. Nicholas is survived by Velvet, his sons: Michael, Matthew, Mitchell, and Will. His daughters Michelle and Maria, and a brother John; his grandchildren Aidan, Bryce, Skylar and Kinsley; He was blessed with great spouses for his oldest children, Luke, Crystal and Christina. Nicholas had numerous nieces and nephews he loved. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Lucy, and his son Coen, and nephews Michael and Anthony.

Nicholas’s final contribution to better this world, was as an organ donor, in hopes to give a life to many others.

Services for Nicholas will be Friday December 15th at 10:00 a.m. in Holy Trinity Church 2818 E Bennett Springfield, Missouri. Burial will follow in Eastlawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Thursday, December 14th at Herman Lohmeyer Funeral Home 500 E. Walnut, Springfield, Missouri. 6-8:00 p.m. There will be a wake celebration of Nicholas’s life Friday evening, with location available at the services. Scrubs are welcome at any of the services and wake. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to an account for Will at Great Southern referenced as “Remembering Coen”. The account will be used for Will’s education, as education was paramount to Nicholas for his children.

Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.