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Galen Duane Nichols was born to George and Susie (Smith) Nichols on the family farm near Isabella, Oklahoma on the 21st of August 1939. He peacefully went to be with Jesus on April 27, 2025, at the Fairview Fellowship Home. His passing was the result of complications from several strokes. Being the seventh of nine children in the Nichols home, he could often be found tucked in close to his father during family devotions. Dad's childhood years were spent in the Fairview area. Here he enjoyed daily life on the farm, working the Grade C dairy and roaming the red hills with his older brother, Harold. Dad loved nature, especially fishing. Canton Lake and Zimmerman Creek were his favorite spots. He preferred live bait to the "fancy" equipment and would often just use a cane pole. He never caught a fish that he wouldn't eat.
Dad would often walk or ride his horse, Nell, to Standard School where he received his formal education under the tutelage of Myrtle Wilkinson. Many adventures were experienced during the journeys to and from school. Galen started his cow herd at an early age when he purchased a Jersey bull calf from his grandpa Henry for $4.00 (paid back in payments). Raising cattle would be part of his life from this point forward. The family has many fond memories of checking the cows with Grandpa. The Jack Farm would always hold a special place in his heart. It was here that he worked in The Nichols Orchard as a boy and later raised irrigated alfalfa hay.
Dad felt his need for a Savior and answered God's call at the age of 12. He was baptized into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite by his father, Minister George Nichols, on April 22, 1951. His love for his Savior never wavered.
Galen's passion for the Spanish culture began as he made several trips with his parents to Camp 45, Chihuahua, Mexico. He made many life-long friends and loved to tell stories of his time there, wandering the Guadalupe ridges and listening to Brother Pada preach about the Tortillas of Life. At the age of 15, he spent an extended time at the camp, teaching at the village school. During this time, he lived with his older brother, Dale, and his wife, Marlene, whom he would always call his second Mom.
Dad met the love of his life, Bernice Koehn, in the fall of 56. The spark had been ignited and would never be extinguished. Shortly after this, Dad spent a little time working at the V Bar V Ranch in Alberta, Canada owned by his brother, Vernon and brother-in-law, Leonard. Upon returning home and with some by-mail courtship, he and Bernice were engaged and later married on November 8, 1959. The Koehn family was always very special to Dad. Four children were born to the union, the first, a girl they named Carla, then three boys, Lynn, David, and the baby of the family they named Garen. Early married life was filled with different occupations for Dad. He worked at the lumbar yard and feed mill in Fairview, and also for a surveying crew where he walked all the way to Woodward one winter. Winter wheat would be another source of income for their home throughout Galen and Bernice's life. They would ride the emotional waves of drought, hailstorms, and late freezes to sometimes bumper crops that would make the old 95 John Deere groan. Dad also worked for Gary Just where he began to hone his skills as an electrician and plumber. He would later become licensed in both fields.
Dad's passion for singing would define him throughout his life. Whether it was singing Spanish with his friend, Hipolito, or singing The Lighthouse with his quartet friends, Clayton, Galen Koehn, and Ervy, he never turned down a chance to make a beautiful noise. "Jesus, Savior Pilot Me" and "Every Morning Mercies New" were among his favorites.
Dad never met a stranger and was always ready to visit; it didn't matter if it was the waiter at The Wagon Wheel, where the family had their annual harvest supper, or a gas station attendant along the way to their camping spot in Colorado. Dad believed in a life of service. His love for his fellow man would lead him to spend time in Zihuatanejo and Guatemala after a devastating earthquake in 1976. Here, he would meet the Madrid and Paz families whom he would call his own. He and Bernice were very active with the Enid Mission and were big supporters of Vacation Bible School. In their later years, they would give time at the Birmingham, Alabama Unit and the unit located on the Yucatan Peninsula.
Galen and Bernice became grandparents in 1980. Grandpa would relish this role the rest of his life. We grandchildren would always look forward to playing BearTrap and getting a half piece of green gum. An especially lucky day would include a stop at the Isabella Station for a Coke and Snickers. Grandpa had a specific honk when coming onto the yard to pick us up to head to the fishing hole. When it was time to leave, we could count to 20 on the last cast. If the fish were biting, we were allowed to count by halves. Storytime was very important. Often, when reading a story, Grandpa would say, "that reminds me of a story"
Our husband, father, and grandfather was a man of great empathy and service for his fellow man. He faced many challenges and difficulties in life, just as we all do, but we are so thankful that he turned to God for strength to carry him through and today we rest assured that God has taken him to a mansion prepared for the faithful.
Those left to cherish him in memory are his loving wife, Bernice, children Carla and Bill Schmidt, Lynn Nichols, David and Shawna Nichols, and Garen and Jolene Nichols, 12 grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren, his sister June and Harold Jantz, brother Jack Nichols, and two sisters- in- law Marlene Nichols and Shirley Nichols. Also, extended family, Jennifer, Suzy, Mario, and Nellie and her family. We are so thankful for the wonderful care Dad received at the Fairview Fellowship Home and special thanks to Nurse Christopher Obetta, who gave him exceptional care and love. Galen was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers and 3 sisters.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 1, 2025 at the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite with interment at Cedar Cemetery under the direction of Pierce Funeral Home, Fairview, OK. Memorial donations are suggested to the Cedar Christian School or the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite Vacation Bible School program with the funeral home serving as custodian at P.O. Box 15, Fairview, OK 73737. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.piercefuneralhomes.com.
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