Dr. Roger P. Nichols

1943 - 2024

Dr. Roger Phillip Nichols from Charleston, and a native of Paden City passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on October 16, 2024. He battled pancreatic cancer for over a year.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Guy L. Nichols, and June Gorrell Nichols and his brother, Duane Guy Nichols.

Roger is survived by his ex-wife, Mary Jo Crites Nichols; son, Dr. Phillip Todd Nichols (Wendy); daughter, Rebecca June Lester (Michael); son, Eric Bryan Nichols (Anitalee); sisters, June Elaine Morrell, and Rosemary Valentine; seven grandchildren who were his pride and joy, Shelby, Connor, Joshua, Hayden, Tanner, Jenna, and Lucas; three great grandchildren, Sophia, Tate, Knox, and another little blessing on the way.

Roger grew up in Paden City, where he had a paper route and learned to read music and play the piano as a young boy. When his family moved to St. Albans, he became part of the ROTC at St. Albans High School. Roger was a graduate of West Virginia University where he completed undergraduate, medical school and then Residency. He also did an OBGYN internship at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, GA where he delivered twelve babies in one night. Shortly after, he changed his specialty to Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT). He and Mary Jo met at church camp in Wetzel County, and were married in 1966 at the Boulevard Church of Christ. They moved to Charleston in 1974 with son, Todd and daughter Becky. Roger joined Dr. James T. Spencer in medical practice and together they formed the Ear, Nose and Throat Associates of Charleston, Inc. Shortly after, he and Mary Jo welcomed baby boy, Bryan. Roger loved to visit his parents in Paden City, and would frequently show up to visit with a bucket full of fresh elderberries that he had stopped to pick up along the way. His mother would then help him make pints of fresh elderberry jelly. Dr. Nichols was a beloved doctor to all who knew him. He worked at EN&T Associates of Charleston for 29 years and did most of his ENT surgeries at CAMC Women and Children's or Memorial Hospital. He volunteered his time to hold monthly Handicapped Children's clinics in both Raleigh and Boone County and in Summersville. He taught the Stop Smoking classes for many years at CAMC Health System. He travelled to his beloved Israel seven times, raising money doing charity bike rides for the Nazareth Project Inc., and taking loads of medical supplies to them every year. He retired in 2003 to his favorite spot at Myrtle Beach, SC where he enjoyed playing the electronic piano at top volume with the windows open. Roger never knew a stranger and could be found having dinner with neighbors and friends he met along the way. He was a collector of all things and loved a good deal. Roger also loved the Lord and accepted Christ as his personal Savior as a young child. In his line of work, he was able to witness to countless people over the years. His favorite songs to play on the piano were gospel hymns, including "Love Lifted Me," "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" and "He Arose."

A visitation will be held at Bible Center Church, 100 Bible Center Drive, Charleston, WV on October 24, 2024, from 11am- 1pm, followed by a funeral service starting at 1pm with Chaplain Pete Thompson officiating. A private family burial will be at Sunset Memorial Park.

Long & Fisher Funeral Home, 6837 Sissonville Drive, Sissonville is in charge of the arrangements.

Special thanks to The CAMC Cancer Center and to The Hubbard Hospice House of Charleston, WV.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Nazareth Project, Inc on their website at https://nazarethproject.org/support-donations/ or can be mailed to: The Nazareth Project, 237 N Prince St., Suite 305 Lancaster, PA 17603.

Condolences can be sent by visiting www.longfisherfuneralhome.com.