Rickie Gerald Nichols, Jr., 39, of Tecumseh, Oklahoma went to his forever home Thursday, May 10, 2018 in Oklahoma City.
He was born October 28, 1978 to Rickie Gerald Nichols, Sr. and Linda Jo Nichols in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
Rickie was raised in Dale and graduated with the class of 1997 from Dale High School. During high school he played the trumpet and saxophone in the band. He also spent 10 plus years in Tae Kwon Do earning his black Belt in Karate. Rickie also loved going raccoon hunting with his grandpa Brown. He lived most of his adult life in the Shawnee area.
Rickie married the love of his life, April Rawls on July 16, 2011 in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Together they have 2 children that he adored deeply.
Rickie proudly served his country 8 years in the U.S. Marines, with 3 tours to Iraq and 1 tour to Okinawa, and other missions and was honorably discharged in 2006.
He worked for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation in highway maintenance.
Rickie was a very active member of Temple of Praise Pentecostal Church of God in Seminole. He was an avid Sci-Fi fan with a special love of Star Wars and he also loved OU Football and OKC Thunder. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family and dearly loved his children.
He was preceded in death by 2 little angels; his grandparents, Gerald and Johnnie Lee Brown and W.G. “Buddy” and Marcella “Sissy” Nichols; and brother-in-law, Justin Cole Gentry.
Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, April Nichols of the home; 1 daughter, AnnaBelle Ruth Nichols; 3 sons, Rickie Gerald Nichols, III, Riley Michael Nichols and Ryker Grayson Nichols; his parents, Rickie, Sr. and Linda Nichols; 2 brothers, Johnny and Lacey Jones and Jesse and Jamie Nichols; mother-in-law, Shelly and Glen Gentry; father-in-law, Vernon and Kathy Rawls; 2 brothers-in-law, Bryan and Nicole Rawls and Stephen and Laura Rawls; and other loving extended family and friends.
Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 15, 2018 and continue through service time. Family gathering to greet friends and family will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at Cooper Funeral Home. Service will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at Cooper Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Jeff Nance, Temple of Praise Pentecostal Church of God in Seminole and Jarod Hale officiating. Burial will follow at Dale Cemetery under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.