H.T. Nichols

H.T. Nichols (former owner of Nichols LP Gas) passed away Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at Providence Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, March 30, 2019 at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Mary Gean Cope officiating. Masonic services will follow at Smith Bend-Coon Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be held at from 12:30-1:30, Saturday, March 30, 2019 at the church.

H.T. was the son of Henry Jackson Nichols and Vestie Ann (Schulz) Nichols. H.T. was born on August 19, 1928, at Cayote, Texas. H.T. married Barbara Fae Boedeker on February 24, 1949 in Glen Rose, Texas. Barbara and H.T. celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this past February 24. H.T. attended schools at Cayote and Clifton and early in his career worked the oil fields in Damon and Rosenburg, Texas. Later, he and Barbara returned to Bosque County where he owned and operated several service stations. In 1963, H.T. was employed by Atkins Propane Company which was later bought by Pargas Propane and serviced much of Bosque County. In 1979, he and Barbara began construction on future home one mile south of Clifton on Highway 6. The following year, H.T. started his own propane company and named it Nichols LP Gas Service and Wrecker Service. He operated the propane company until his retirement in 1994.

Upon retirement, Barbara and H.T. became avid RV campers and traveled throughout the United States and made many, many friends with other RV enthusiasts. For their 50th wedding anniversary, they traveled to Hawaii to celebrate.

H.T. had a lifelong love of music and played the guitar. Over the years, participated in many local bands as well as “jam sessions” with other musical friends. He was a member of the Clifton Masonic Lodge No. 360 for fifty years and an Endowed Member. He was raised as a Master Mason November 12, 1968. He served as Worshipful Master 1973 and 1974 and as District Deputy Grand Master during 1975. He also was a member of Karem Shrine Temple.

H.T. is survived by his wife Barbara; three children Patricia Kay Bryant, Henry Thomas Nichols, Jr. and Jeffrey Lynn Nichols; daughter-in-law Anita Nichols; five grandchildren, Jason Bryant, Daisha Nelson; Justin Nichols, Joshua Nichols, and Brandon Nichols; four great-grandchildren, Cade Nelson, Miles Bryant, Cole Bryant and Zion Simmons.

H.T. was preceded in death by his parents H.J. and Vestie Nichols, sister Mary Ann Ludwig, brother Earl Edward Nichols, and sister Pauline Rogers Dawson.

In lieu of flowers, donations the First United Methodist Church, Clifton, Texas, can be made.

Condolences may be made at www.cliftonfh.com