Rev. Dr. John Christopher "Chris" Nichols

Rev. Dr. J. Christopher "Chris" Nichols, lately of Rocky River, Ohio, passed away on Friday, March 7, 2025, following a months-long battle with Covid-19, complicated by his decades-long fight with blood cancers. Born April 13, 1953, in Medina, Ohio to Lola Jeanne Link (née Halderson, formerly Nichols) and Floyd Elmer Nichols, Chris graduated from Medina HS in 1971. He earned a Bachelor of Science Education degree and Bachelor of Arts degree from Baldwin-Wallace College in 1975. Chris taught art classes in the Elyria schools and St. Edward's HS, then worked for Youth for Christ for four years, before attending Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary to earn his pastoral degree (UCC). He later earned his Doctorate of Theology from Eden Seminary, St. Louis, MO.
Chris met his loving and devoted wife Katherine "Kathy" Ann Nichols (née Theodosion) at Baldwin-Wallace College, and they married on June 22, 1975. They lived in Berea, Ohio until moving to Wenham, MA for his seminary studies. Upon ordination, he began his pastoral career at Essex Congregational Church, Essex, MA, during which time their son John Christopher Nichols II was born. He then served as Youth Pastor at First Congregational Church in Hudson, OH, during which time their son James "Jamie" Halderson Nichols was born. Chris then served a brief time at First Congregational Church in Yarmouth, MA as pastor, then as pastor of Church of Christ Congregational in Goshen, CT for more than fifteen years. He then served as pastor at First Congregational Church of Madison, Madison, CT, then finally at St. Paul's UCC Church, Manheim, PA. Kathy served as music director at most of these churches, supporting Chris's sermon messages through worship music. In all, Chris served the church for over 40 years, taking youth groups on mission trips to East Germany, Biloxi, MI, New Orleans, the Appalachia Service Project in West Virginia, and multiple trips to the Dominican Republic. He also organized and participated in mission trips to Zimbabwe.
Upon Chris's early retirement due to complications of his illnesses, he and Kathy moved to Rocky River, OH to be closer to family and specialized doctors at the Cleveland Clinic. During his retirement, he continued serving as interim pastor at various churches in Northeast Ohio. He also took up baking and preserving, tweaking recipes to create various combinations for cookies, brownies, pies, and jams. Chris was a lover of the arts and especially enjoyed photography and printmaking. His silk-screen print, "Boy in A Tree", was accepted at a Cleveland Museum of Art May Show, the Boston Printmakers Exhibition, and the Village Center National Print Exhibition where he won a national award. Chris tirelessly researched family histories, collecting family photographs and expanding genealogies. One of his life goals was to visit the churches where his ancestors were married and baptized in Norway, a goal he saw fulfilled, surrounded by his family, in September of 2024.
Chris is survived by his beloved wife, Kathy, his cherished sons Chris II (Regina) and Jamie, and his adored grandchildren J. Christopher "Chris" III, Andrew Louis, and Sophia Regina. He is also survived by his treasured siblings Hal (JoAn) Nichols, Andy Nichols, and Laura Nichols. Chris was a kind and gentle man of God, loving uncle, caring friend, and trusted confidant of many.
The Nichols family would like to thank the tireless efforts of his doctors, nurses, and medical researchers at the Cleveland Clinic, through whose efforts we were able to gain many extra years, filled with love, laughter, and precious memories.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to The City Mission, 5310 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44103.
The family will receive visitors at Busch Funeral Home, 21369 Center Ridge Road, Fairview Park, OH 44116 from 5-7pm on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, there will be a visitation hour at Bay Presbyterian Church, 25415 Lake Road, Bay Village at 10am, with the memorial service following at 11am, followed by coffee and cookies.
(440) 333-9774 www.buschcares.com