Kenneth Nichols

1934 - 2025

Kenneth Nichols

May 20, 1934 - April 13, 2025

Fort Worth, Texas - Kenneth Lee Nichols, 90, passed away on April 13, 2025, surrounded by family. He was born on May 20, 1934, in a farmhouse in Cookietown, Oklahoma to Henry "Buck" Nichols and Jewel Mabel (Cornelius) Nichols.

Ken grew up in Cookietown and graduated from Union Valley Schools in 1951, where he played basketball and was a proud member of Union Valley Baptist Church-a church his father was a deacon, and helped build and where his mother taught Sunday School. He later earned his degree from Oklahoma State University, where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Following college, he served in the U.S.Army, stationed in Germany.

Ken began his professional career with International Harvester from 1958 to 1965, rising through the ranks in Texas. His entrepreneurial journey began in earnest in El Paso, where he founded and later bought out a Ford heavy truck dealership-setting a record for the fastest buyout in Ford history. Over the next decades, he acquired and operated multiple truck and auto dealerships across Texas and New Mexico, including his pride and joy, Nichols Ford in Fort Worth. He later founded Southwest Truck Leasing, which operated a fleet of 400 heavy trucks before being sold to PacLease in 1993.

A licensed pilot and later a licensed boat captain, Ken traveled often for business and pleasure. He and his wife Mary enjoyed summers in the Bahamas aboard their various boats, each named Sweet Mary. After retiring, he returned for one final venture-purchasing Lone Star Chrysler Jeep Ram in Cleburne, which was later purchased by his daughter and son-in-law.

Faith was central to Ken's life. In addition to his lifelong ties to Union Valley Baptist Church, he was a devoted member at Birchman Baptist Church in Fort Worth. He supported both churches faithfully and generously.

Ken is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Anna (Nichols) Hays, and his son Kyle Nichols. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mary Nichols; daughter Kimberly (Nichols) Danley (husband Dan) of Colleyville; sons Wade Swift (wife Shelly) of Sanger, and Wayne Swift (wife Sheryl) of Crandall; brother Ray Nichols (wife Sherrie), brother Jerry Nichols, and sister Patty (Nichols) McCullough. He was a beloved grandfather to 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

A visitation will held at Laurel Land Funeral Home on Friday, April 25, 2025 from 6pm to 8pm. Funeral service will be at Birchman Baptist Church on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 1pm followed by burial.