Robert Wayne "Bob" Nichols

Robert Wayne Nichols, age 86, of Fortuna, passed away March 30, 2025. He was born February 13, 1939, in Marshall, MO, the oldest son of Robert Jr. and Mildred Armina Hooper. His life adventure started in Postal, MO, a ways up from Lost Corner going past Booger town. Bob's schooling began in a one-room schoolhouse and finished by graduating from high school in Nelson, MO. He went to college at Southwest Baptist, Bolivar, MO and finished at William Jewell College in Liberty, MO. He attended Midwestern Seminary in Kansas City, MO. Bob pastored his first church in Breckenridge, MO in 1966. He bought a farm and became an evangelist. He continued at Trenton, MO moving to Hickory Creek. While in Trenton, he went on a mission trip to India. He moved on to Ellington, MO to be a Director of Missions in Reynolds County over 15 churches. In Birch Tree, MO, he was pastor of Oak Grove Baptist. Seven people attended plus his family, but the church grew in number. While there, he preached numerous revivals at Brush Harbor meetings, tent meetings, even from the rooftop of the church when it was filled to capacity. In 1978, he moved to Versailles and helped build a newly founded church while meeting in an old gym and a two-story house. In 1983, Bob pastored Main Street Baptist Church in California, MO. He had the opportunity to go to Haiti twice. While there, he preached and built an orphanage. He moved back to the area in 1987, to pastor at his childhood church, Memorial Baptist Church. In 1989, he took a church in Lesterville, MO to be their preacher. Due to his health, he moved to Gravois Mills and served as a supply preacher for Bunceton Baptist Church and Green Ridge. Along with preaching God's word, Bob was a farmer, an auctioneer, loved to hunt and fish, carve wood, rock polishing, and loved raising tomatoes. Through all his trials and hobbies, he would never waste an opportunity to witness to someone in need. In 1959, he married Delores Gean Cotten of Blackwater, daughter of Otis Taylor Cotten and Gertrude Venita Matthews. They were married 65 years, had five children: Kimberlie Diane McGinnis married to Tildon McGinnis; Robert Troy married Belinda Lee Comstock; Karen Gaylene Rhoads married to David Rhoads; Janatta Leigh Klein married to John Kent Klein; and Leslie LeAn Nichols; eight grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two children Troy Nichols and Karen Rhoads, son-in-law John Klein and daughter-in-law Belinda Nichols. A visitation will be held April 9, 2025 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home in Versailles, MO, followed by a graveside service at 1:30 p.m. at Miller's Chapel Cemetery in the Longwood Area in Pettis County, MO. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home of Versailles.

Robert Wayne "Bob" Nichols

February 13, 1939 - March 30, 2025

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Robert Wayne "Bob" Nichols

February 13, 1939 - March 30, 2025

About Us

What We Do

Contact KG/Locations

Grief & Healing

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