Ray Gene Nichols, age 84, of Brookline Station, MO, passed away Monday, July 14, 2014, in his home. He was born May 4, 1930, in Boone County, AR, to Henry and Helen (Smith) Nichols. He was a 1948 graduate of Mt. Vernon High School. After thirty-five years of service, Ray retired as Assistant Chief for the Springfield Fire Department. Ray enjoyed fishing and making fishing lures. He attended Immanuel Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Malechi and Helen Ruth Nichols. He is survived by his loving wife, Jo Ann Nichols, Brookline Station, MO; two daughters, Vickie Corkren and husband Jack of Springfield and Cheryl Wade and husband Jim of Florida; one granddaughter, Julie Allwardt; one great-granddaughter, Anna Ruth Allwardt of Brookline Station; one sister, Clara Dee Martin of Iowa; one brother, David Hinrichsen of Mississippi; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 18, 2014, at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Springfield, MO.S Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, 2014 at Greenlawn Funeral Home North. Memorial contributions may be made to the Immanuel Baptist Church. Services have been entrusted to Greenlawn Funeral Home North, Springfield, MO. Online condolences may be made at www.greenlawnfuneralhome.com.