James Donald "Jim" Nichols

James Donald Nichols was born in Richmond Virginia on December 28, 1968. Jim as he was known to his friends, died in the early morning on January 28, 2024. His parents were Jesse and Lucille Nichols, now deceased. Jim is survived by his loving sister Dawn Beckham (husband Jim), brother Jessie Morris Nichols (wife Myra and son Nicky) of Orange Park and preceded in death by brother Jerry Eugene Nichols. Jim grew up in Green Cove Springs and during his childhood he contracted meningitis, which led to significant brain damage. That damage caused some personality disorder, learning disabilities and seizures. Yet those of us who knew him well saw some brilliance demonstrated from time to time. Because of his impediment, Jim couldnt work and schooling was limited. He was very direct in his conversations which led to difficulties sometimes in his relations with people. It also led to him losing the one job he had as a bag boy in a grocery store. Jim lived with his mother after his father died. When his mother passed away Jim was moved to an adult care facility which housed others who had mental and physical challenges. Jim started attending St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church with his mother. After losing her, he continued to come to Mass, either by walking a mile or so to the church, or getting rides from parishioners. Many in our society would call him the least of us, but Jim had an incredibly strong faith. Throughout his illness Jim suffered great pain, yet until the end, he refused any pain medication. He said he wanted to suffer like Christ did. He was charitable; constantly trying to get food donated to his facility for the residents, because he said the regular food wasnt very good. And if he had any money, he would share it with others in need at the facility where he lived. In the early days he tried to convert a number of his fellow residents to Catholicism, bringing some to church with him. Jim had a unique habit. When he left church he would bless himself with holy water, pause and then stare at the large crucifix mounted on the back wall of the church. What was going through his mind at those moments? There are those of us who will miss Jim greatly; the challenges he offered, the corny jokes he would tell and the sight of him thrilled by the magnitude and selection of food at many of the church functions. We urge you to pray for Jims soul and that in his mercy, God will make him whole. Funeral services will be held at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, February 3, 2024 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 1950 Bartram Road Jacksonville, FL 32207. Burial will follow at Penney Farms Cemetery. Arrangements under the care of Helm-Gallagher Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1811 Idlewild Avenue, SR 16, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043. 904-284-9696. www.helmgallagherfh.com
Cemetery
Penney Farms Cemetery
SR 16 W
Penney Farms FL 32079
US
Funeral Service
Saturday, February 3, 2024
9:00 AM -
St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church
1950 Bartram Road
Jacksonville FL 32207
US
Funeral Home
Helm - Gallagher Funeral Home - Green Cove Springs
1811 Idlewild Avenue
Green Cove Springs FL - 32043
US
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