James A. Nichols, 71, of Columbia, Illinois, formerly of Cahokia, Illinois, born July 3, 1947, in Enid, OK, died Friday, November 9, 2018 at Mercy Hospital South in St. Louis, Missouri.

Jim was a retired Captain for the Cahokia Police Dept. During his police career, Jim served on the Major Case Squad; the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southern Illinois (MEGSI); and was a Police Academy instructor at SWIC (BAC). He was a U.S. Army veteran and had served as a combat medic in the Korean demilitarized zone (DMZ).

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Barbara, nee Campbell; a brother, John Nichols; and a father-in-law, Richard Odem.

Surviving are his loving wife, Diane, nee Pennock, Nichols; two sons, Jeff (Karen) Nichols of St. Louis, MO and Jeremy (Andrea) Nichols of Ballwin, MO; a brother, Tom (Debbie) Nichols of Des Moines, IA; two sisters, Rebecca (Tim) Nichols-Lush of New Jersey and Joyce Johns of Vienna, IL; five grandchildren, Justin, Stephanie, Alexandra, Samantha, and Mikayla; his mother-in-law, JoAnne Odem of Columbia, IL; and his father-in-law, Jewel "Buddy" (Shirley) Pennock of Millstadt, IL. He was also a dear brother-in-law, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend.

Memorials may be made to Backstoppers.

In following Jim's wishes, a private cremation was held and no services are planned. Arrangements were handled by Braun Family Funeral Home, Columbia, Illinois.