James Nickens

On July 18, 1943, Loy James and Ella Nickens welcomed their son, James Sanford Nickens, into their family.

He went to Watts school where he played football and basketball. He was in ag and had show animals at the fair. He played football for 1 year at Connors State college in Wagoner, Ok.

He married his wife of 58 years, Peggy Balmain Nickens and had 3 sons. Tim, Brett and Steve.

The family moved to Alaska where Jim loved to hunt and fish and enjoy the outdoors. He also coached a women’s softball team that Peggy played on for many years.  His favorite thing to do was to watch his boys play sports and rarely, if ever, missed a game.

Jim loved building. He built houses and worked in the building material business for most of his career.

He loved our country and always supported our military.

The family moved to Westville in 1988 and bought a farm where he raised cattle and hogs. He enjoyed farming but still contracted and built houses. His love for Alaska never diminished and he talked a lot of his friends into taking fishing trips to Alaska over the years.

He loved watching his family grow as grandchildren and then great grandchildren came along. The very first thing he would teach each one of them was how to say, “Papas baby”.

James passed from this life on Friday, August 21, 2020 at his home near Westville, OK surrounded by his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Loy and Ella Nickens, son: Steve Nickens and brother: Bob Nickens.

His memory will be kept alive by his wife: Peggy Carol Nickens of the home near Westville, OK, his sons: Tim Nickens (Dana) and Brett Nickens, of Westville, grandchildren: Brian Nickens (Krystal) of Westville, Rachel Cash (Cody) of Colcord, OK, Michael Nickens (fiancé Taylor McDaniel) of Muldrow, OK, Noah Nickens and Madison Nickens of Westville, great grandchildren: Gavin Hall, Kaylie Cash, Cadence Cash, Quinn Cash, all of Colcord, Jacoby Nickens and Chet Nickens of Westville, his sister: Shirley Guthrie of Westville and many other relatives and friends.