Calvin James Nickols, 87, of Tulsa, died January 8, 2023, surrounded by his family.

Mr. Nickols was born on October 29, 1935, in Sargent, Neb. to Howard and Nettie (Hutchinson) Nickols. He attended Phillipsburg High School in Phillipsburg, Kan., graduating in the Class of 1953. He recently was proud to attend his 65th high school reunion where he enjoyed sharing memories and laughs with many of his former classmates. After high school, he studied architecture at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan., and in those years worked on the crew that built Manhattan's Tuttle Creek Dam. Following his time at K-State, Mr. Nickols served two years in the US Army, where he was a Specialist 4, serving as a nuclear weapons assembler in Germany during the Cold War. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, he moved to Tulsa, Okla., to join the crews of builders called to construct the Keystone Dam.

It was in Tulsa where Mr. Nickols courted Barbara Lundy Miers, whom he married in 1961. Soon afterward, the family began with the birth of the first of three children. It was during those years that he began his long career in construction, rising quickly to project management and participating in marquee projects around the city including the first expansion of Saint Francis Hospital, the development of Villa Fontana Apartments, an expansion of Gilcrease Museum, the establishment of the Oak Hollow residential addition, and many more projects. Following his more than 50-year career in construction, he kept his eye on many a project, having established his own business, Nick's Inspection Services. He worked in that role until the day before he died.

He shared his work ethic with his three children, encouraging them to be the best they could be. He delighted in serving as their little league coach – including taking his son's basketball team to a city championship in the 1970s and leading his daughter's softball team -- and teaching them to fish. He was equally as happy to watch his grandchildren's sporting events, musical programs, and school assemblies. His other interests included golf, tennis, and cheering on K-State teams.

The son of a minister, Mr. Nickols was active in his adult life in the Episcopal Church. He served as the Junior Warden of Saint Dunstan's parish and helped oversee its first major expansion. He and Barbara later returned to her home church, Trinity Parish, where she is interred in the parish columbarium and where he will be laid to rest beside her.

Known for his keen wit and easy laugh, he was a friend to many. He died knowing he was loved by his family and will be remembered for his strength and determination.

Mr. Nickols is survived by his children, Allison Geary and Michael Nickols, of Tulsa, and Paige Eichelman, of Vancouver, Wash; grandchildren Calvin Nickols, Grace Geary, Daniel Geary, and Alexandria Tillman. He is survived by a sister, Marilyn Dimmitt, and brothers Sam Nickols and David Nickols. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Barbara, by his parents, and by his brother Elwin Nickols.

Services for Mr. Nickols will be held Saturday, January 14 at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown Tulsa, where he and Barbara were married. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Trinity Parish at www.trinitytulsa.org or to Feeding the Pets of Tulsa's Homeless at www.fpth.org.