Johnny Harris Nichols died Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at the North MS Medical Center in Tupelo. He was 76 years old. A lifelong Lee Countian, Johnny was born on December 24, 1949 to Robert Nichols and Willie Bee Starling Nichols. He graduated from Tupelo High School in 1967. A patriotic American and loyal Mississippian, he proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps serving in the Vietnam era. He chose being a firefighter for his life work and was a firefighter for the City of Tupelo for 20 years where he retired as Captain. His leadership skills made him an excellent firefighter; his witty, practical jokester personality and winning ways made him a morale booster for his colleagues in their highly responsible public service. He had many friends and was well liked by all he met. In addition to the fire service, he worked for several years at Nichols Saw Service and Lowes. He was a devout follower of Mississippi State football and loved to play practical jokes.
A celebration of life service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, July 18, 2026 in the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors in Tupelo, with a fire department honor guard and Marine Corp salute. Visitation will be from 10 AM to service time Saturday only at the funeral home. Private burial will take place at Eggville Cemetery. For those unable to attend, the service will be live-streamed at 11 AM on Saturday at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/live-streaming. Holland Funeral Directors – Tupelo Chapel is honored to serve the family.
Honorary pallbearers will be retired firefighters.
He is survived by his children, Kristi Pate (Chris) of Tuscumbia, AL, and Jason Nichols (Tabitha) of East Tupelo; grandchildren, Zach, Makayla, Jacob, Lindsey, Jamie, Catie, Zander, Jackson, and Amzie; and great-grandchildren, Riley, Maison, Weslie, and Warren; several nieces and nephews, cousins and their families; a special sister-in-law, Patsy Goff Nichols. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Willie Nichols; his son, Kevin Nichols, a special friend Pearl Rabinowitz and his siblings, James Nichols, Billy Nichols, Bobby Nichols, and Beverly Nichols.
Condolences for the family may be left on Johnny’s memorial page at hollandfuneraldirectors.com.
