Preston “Nick” Warren Nichols, 83, of Orange, Texas, passed away on August 1, 2018, in Beaumont, Texas.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 4, 2018, at Trinity Baptist Church in Orange, Texas. Officiating will be Dr. Bob Webb and Pastor Ryan Chandler. Burial will follow at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in San Augustine, Texas.

Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange, Texas.

Born in San Augustine, Texas, on August 25, 1934, he was the son of Jerry Reece Nichols and Evie (Fitzgerald) Nichols. Preston was raised in San Augustine. He enjoyed playing all types of sports and was voted most athletic in high school. He then attended college at Stephen F. Austin University. Preston honorably served his country in the United States Army. He was assigned to the Surface to Air Missile Battalion in Norfolk, Virginia and worked with Nike guided missiles. After his military service, Preston worked on a pipeline. He then went on to work as a heavy equipment operator for DuPont and retired after 40 years of loyal service to the company. Preston also owned Nichols Christmas Tree Farm for 20 years. He served as a deacon at First Baptist Church for 52 years, as well as being a charter member of Trinity Baptist Church. Preston volunteered at the Lion’s Club Carnival in the coke booth for many years, and was a 4-H leader for Sherwood 4-H Club. He enjoyed playing golf and even helped build the DERA Golf Course.

He was preceded in death by his parents J. R. and Evie Nichols

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Donna Nichols of Orange; his children, Kimberlynn Nichols of Orange, Texas, Stephen Nichols and wife Elizabeth of Silver Spring, Maryland, and Christopher Nichols and wife Jennifer of Orange, Texas; his grandchildren, Carly Hunt and husband Eric of Buna, Texas, Kyle Nichols of Orange, Texas, George Nichols of Silver Spring, Maryland, Kayla Nichols of Orange, Texas, Sally Nichols of Silver Spring, Maryland, Leslie Nichols of Silver Spring, Maryland, and John Nichols of Silver Spring, Maryland; his great-grandchild, Parker Melancon of Buna, Texas; his siblings, Raymond Nichols and wife Una of Frankston, Texas, Clifton Nichols and wife Ann of San Augustine, Texas, Neal Nichols and wife Sandra of Garrison, Texas, Jerry Nichols and wife Linda of Nacogdoches, Texas, and Iris Stanaland and husband Vernis of Bullard, Texas; and his brothers-in-law, Joel Wagnon and wife Pat of Orange, Texas and Larry Wagnon of Nacogdoches, Texas.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jerry Nichols, Clifton Nichols, Kyle Nichols, George Nichols, Eric Hunt, Vernis Stanaland, Willie Morgan, and Buddy Miller. Honorary pallbearers are Neal Nichols, Raymond Nichols, Dan Mohon, and Noel Griffith.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Trinity Baptist Church Building Fund or Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, Florida 33131.