Lester Nichols

Lester (“L.B./Nick”) Benjamin Nichols Jr., of Springfield, passed the morning of June 27, 2013 at the Mt. Vernon Veterans Home. He was born in Springfield, MO on Feb 13, 1923 to Lester B. Nichols and Elda (Bass) Nichols. He recently celebrated his 90th birthday with family and friends. He attended Robberson Elementary, Reed Jr. High, and Graduated from Senior High School and from STC (MSU) with a degree in Teaching. College was interrupted by WWII where he enlisted in the Navy and served as an Aviation Radioman. After the War, he returned to Springfield and finished his education while working as a laborer for the Frisco Railroad. After college he secured a teaching/coaching position in Golden City, MO and later coached in Greenville, MO.

Seeing an opportunity he left teaching and secured a franchise for a Dairy Queen in Poplar Bluff, MO and operated this business for a few years. He then relocated to Springfield, MO to partner with his father in the construction business. This interest expanded to hotel development…a Ramada Inn in Knoxville, TN and Holiday Inns in Poplar Bluff, MO, and Grand Island, NB.

Some of the highlights of his lifetime include: getting to caddy for “The” Glenn Miller in PA (they actually corresponded during the war), becoming a pilot and logging over 4,000 hours, a church mission trip to Africa, backpacking in Asia, sponsoring an orphan in Mexico, shaking the hand of Presidential candidate Alf Landon when he was 7, seeing Pretty Boy Floyd’s car parked on Commercial St., and he was scouted by the Cardinals.

He was a 32nd degree Mason, a Shriner, Lifetime Duplicate Bridge Master. He loved to quail hunt, water ski, play golf, cards and keep up with politics.

He retired to Spring Hill, FL but he continued residential building. He returned to the Springfield area 4 years ago and resided at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mt. Vernon.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Beulah Nichols Rodgers. He is survived by his children…Judy Nichols, Dave Nichols, Jeff Nichols, Rodney Nichols all of the Springfield area and Les Nichols, III of Tampa, FL. His grandchildren are Misty Lansberg, Lacey O’Neal, Sydney Nichols, Aiden Nichols and Miles Nichols. Great grandchildren are Cole Martin, Niki Martin, Hannah O’Neal, Jada Lansberg, and Greta Arnett

Cremation services are under the direction of Herman Lohmeyer Funeral Home. A military honors service will be held at 2pm on Friday, July 5th at the Springfield, MO Veteran’s Cemetery, 5201 S. Southwood Rd.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the charity of your choice OR the Mt. Vernon Veteran’s Home Assistance League. 1500 S. Hickory St., Mt. Vernon, MO 65712.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation and gratitude to all the staff at the Veteran’s Home.
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.