John Lewis Nichols, Jr

This is not an ordinary death notice, because there was nothing ordinary about my brother!
He was born on the starting day of Woodstock and music was born in him. John was a free thinker, so much so, that we always said he was switched at birth. We couldn't get anyone to believe it with his dad's red hair and mom's brown eyes. He took up all the air in the room, born to stand out, not fit in.

He sang and danced and loved with all his heart and none could look away. He did everything to the fullest, good or bad, all or nothing. His God-given gift was love and spreading it to everyone who came in contact with him...young and old. A friend's daughter remembered how he always made her feel beautiful as an awkward pre-teen.

Physical fitness was his passion. He was a personal trainer and led aerobics starting in high school and continuing through most of his life. He touched lives. His classes were always full and that's because he was all about the energy and fun. 2 students shared that: "he took us (a step class) running down Calloway, with him cheering us on (sometimes running backwards to face us) the whole way! He was so fun and so encouraging, He really was the best, always so kind and encouraging to all of us! We all loved him!" John was a licensed cosmetologist and specialist in hair color. He was good, but you better not be in a hurry, because he wouldn't let you go until it was perfect.

He is proceeded in death by grandparents: Robert and Doris (Brinkman) Ribail and Andy and Fern Nichols. Parents: John "Nick" and Shirley (Ribail) Nichols. Uncles: Ed Spigler and William Nichols. John is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Christina and Daniel Eliades, nephew: Jordan John Eliades and his dog, love of his life, Bruno Tattaglia. Uncle: Dan Ribail. Aunts: Lea (Ribail) Spigler, Lorri (Ribail) Marsh, Lorene (Nichols) Blevins, and Robin (Bordwine) Nichols. and many cousins.

We would like to thank the people at Solace Home Health and Hospice care. They took good care of him; they rarely got away without a hug and a sit-down visit.
He had one true angel, his companion and caregiver to the end, Aunt Lorri. She fixed many meals and cups of coffee daily. But most of all she loved him with all her heart and showed it every minute of every day,

In his memory, he would want you to love Jesus; tell someone they are beautiful; take time to truly listen; laugh loud and hearty, sing bold and dance with your soul; hug and kiss your loved ones every day, and remember there is always room for dessert and a cup of coffee.