September 21, 1945 – December 26, 2024.

A retired local pastor, carpenter, father, and proud U.S. Navy Veteran, Lawrence Alvin Nichols, age 79, of Jackson, Michigan, battled with pulmonary fibrosis for 5 years and went home to be with his Lord on December 26, 2024. He was born in Jackson, Michigan, on September 21, 1945, to Alvin and Marjorie (Ashworth) Nichols.

Lawrence was a retired carpenter and a lifetime lather. As a retired United Methodist local pastor since the 1970s, serving in different churches, including Waterloo Village, Waterloo First Church, Zion UMC, Hershey UMC, and Byron Center UMC. He eventually retired in 2016 and moved to Jackson. The family would like to give special thanks to all the staff at Gentiva Hospice for the loving care they provided to Lawrence.

Lawrence is survived by his beloved wife of 24 years Linda Nichols (Martz); loving children Kerry (Jim) Gregg, Michele (Dan) Guimond, Paul McKay, and Amy McKay; cherished grandchildren Marie Hedrick, Jennifer (John) Slover, Katlin (Mateo) Rosalez, Zak Greiner, Ashley (Miquel) Salgado-Albarron, Jake McKay, Allison McKay, and Jameson McKay; dear great-grandchildren Madalyn Hedrick, Jennabelle Hedrick, Archer Slover, Bennett Slover, Octavia Rosalez, Electra Rosalez, Brooklyn Salgado-Albarron, Oliver Sagado-Albarron, and Elias Salgado-Albarron; siblings Bill Nichols, Jill (Dave) Goldsmith, and Beth (Mark) Gefaller; uncle to many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in passing by his first wife, Sally Ann Nichols; parents, Alvin and Marjorie Nichols; and brother, Jim Nichols.

A funeral service to honor his life will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, beginning at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Dave Goldsmith officiating. Interment will follow at the Chapel Cemetery in Parma, Michigan. The family will receive friends for visitation on Monday, December 30, 2024, from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Hampton Funeral Home-Jackson. They will also receive friends for visitation on Tuesday, from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the church. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Trinity United Methodist Church. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.