Charles Wayne Nichols

In Loving Memory of

Charles Wayne Nichols

1936 – 2025

Charles Wayne Nichols, 89, passed away peacefully at the Olathe Hospice House on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

Charlie was born on April 6, 1936, in Moberly, Missouri as the oldest of two children to Henry and Lucille (Rupard) Nichols. He graduated from Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, Kansas. He received his Bachelor of Science in Education from the Pittsburg State Teachers College, his Master of Science in Education and Doctor of Education from the University of Kansas. He began his teaching career at Paola High School in Paola, Kansas, then taught English for many years at Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, Kansas. While teaching at Wyandotte he met the love of his life, his wife Janet. Charlie and Janet were married on December 27, 1967, and enjoyed a very long, happy and loving marriage until Janet’s death in 2023.

Charlie moved from the classroom to administration in 1970, first as Vice Principal at Coronado Junior High School in Kansas City, Kansas. In 1972, he moved to the Shawnee Mission School District as Vice Principal then Principal at Nallwood Junior High School in Overland Park, Kansas. In 1978, he became Principal at Shawnee Mission South High School in Overland Park, Kansas. Charlie finished his educational career as Principal at Olathe North High School, Olathe, Kansas, retiring in 1998.

Charlie was passionate about golf, spending as much time as he could on courses across the country. Many vacations were planned around discovering new golf courses. When he retired from education, he volunteered as a Starter and Marshall at Sunflower Golf Course in Kansas City, Kansas. His family joked that he was now “the principal” at the golf course, keeping golfers on schedule and obeying the rules.

Charlie was a member of Westside Family Church, Lenexa, Kansas. After years of study, questions and doubts, he accepted Christ in his heart and was baptized in 2022 at the age of 86.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Janet (Epperson) Nichols, his parents, Henry and Lucy (Rupard) Nichols, his sister and brother-in-law, Bonnie (Nichols) and Robert Serman.

He is survived by his children, Karen (Terry) McAbee of Olathe, KS and Matthew (Enki) Nichols of Lone Tree, CO, grandchildren Michael McAbee, Kansas City, MO, Christopher McAbee, Phoenix, AZ, Jacob Nichols, Seattle, WA, Julia Nichols, Houston, TX, Emilie Clements and Erin Clements, Lone Tree, CO, his sister-in-law Patti (Steve) Yust, Sylvia, KS and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home in Olathe on Tuesday, May 20 at 2:00pm. Visitation will be immediately prior from 1:00-2:00pm. Interment will be at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Overland Park, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Olathe Hospice House

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