Edward Neal Nichols’ faith became sight Wednesday, January 20, 2021 when he passed from the presence of his family to the presence of Christ whom he had served for 68 years since accepting Jesus as his personal savior at the age of 12.
In spite of a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease, Neal valiantly fought COVID-19 pneumonia for over a month, but his body proved too weakened from years of degenerative disease. Parkinson’s and Covid did not result in defeat, however. The Bible states that "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” In Christ’s presence where Neal is “death is swallowed up in victory;” "what is mortal [is] swallowed up by life.” (1 Corinthians 15:54; 2 Corinthians 5:4)
Neal was born on August 25, 1940 in San Augustine, Texas to Jerry Reece Nichols and Evie Ethel (Fitzgerald).
He graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in August 1964 with a Bachelor of Science, having served as president of the rodeo club while competing as a steer wrestler. Second to his Savior, Neal’s longest love was horses—a love so contagious it spread even to his extended family’s children and grandchildren. (Family members haven’t yet decided whether to assign to him credit or blame.)
Neal met his wife Sandra on a blind date in June 1963. He asked Sandra out for a second date in July, proposed to her in September, and married her in December. Their whirlwind romance lasted 57 years. He almost made a farm girl out of her, although never a cowgirl.
After marrying Neal, Sandra asked him to leave his job with REA climbing electric poles because of the danger. (But thanks to his REA job and its climbing gear, Neal won his future father-in-law over to the idea of marriage—working daily until he cut down a giant sycamore tree that plagued Sandra’s Dad.) For his final semester of school, Neal drove a school bus for Nacogdoches ISD. Upon graduation he worked for Purina as a serviceman.
Neal later opened a feedstore in San Augustine and worked with youth at First Baptist Church. Neal and Sandra would soon encounter a pastor there whom God would use to transform their walk with Christ. Bill Eustis became the pastor and exposed the young couple to revolutionary teaching about the life of faith—about how to appropriate God’s Word and live by faith in God’s personal promises. Bill regularly asked church members to voluntarily stand and declare what they were believing God to do in their lives, based upon His promises to them in scripture. One Sunday evening, in response to this question, Sandra stood up nine-months pregnant—before the days of sonograms—and declared she was believing God for a little girl. Embarrassed, Neal said he longed for the ground to promptly open and swallow him whole.
Neal, however, soon began launching out on his own adventures in faith. One of his first steps of faith was surrendering his life to preach the Gospel of Christ in June 1973. He was ordained as a minister in Denver, Colorado by Bill Eustis on July 14, 1974.
Neal pastored Shiloh Baptist Church near San Augustine, then moved his family to Appleby, a community outside of Nacogdoches, after being called to pastor Bethel Baptist Church. The small, 100 year-old church had likely never encountered such an unconventional pastor. Neal kept the Sunday schedule lively with special guests, such as a former member of Bonnie and Clyde’s gang, a former member of the Gambino crime family, musical guests, and frequent revival meetings with impassioned preachers of tremendous spiritual depth. The little country church was given exposure to some of the most godly, world-renowned Bible preachers of the 20th century—a rare privilege, especially for people living in such a rural location.
Neal’s heart for ministry was simply that the Spirit of God move in a genuine way and change people’s lives. And that He did. People were hungry for what God was doing at Bethel in the early 1970’s. The church auditorium became so full that people sometimes had to attend services from chairs on the sidewalk outside until a new, larger auditorium was built.
Church members still remark about the blessing of having been there during those years. Experiencing the way God’s Spirit moved in the services was something many say they’ve never encountered since.
Sweet memories from those years also include church snow skiing trips, trail rides, making floats for the rodeo parade, and a church centennial celebration where the congregation re-created the year 1878, dressing in period costumes, riding horse and buggy to church, and having dinner on the grounds afterward.
Neal later organized Northwood Baptist Church in Nacogdoches. There a rodeo clown and his wife, a trick horse rider, brought a horse into the church auditorium. God always seemed to show Neal a creative way to worship and share Jesus Christ with others.
Many people gave their lives to Christ through Neal’s preaching and pastoral visits to their homes, often affecting entire families and future generations.
Neal founded Gospel Truth Ministries in the early 1970’s and preached revivals and meetings under its umbrella throughout his ministry, serving several years in full-time evangelism with Gospel Truth in the 1980’s.
Neal’s handkerchief was indispensable in the pulpit. He didn’t lecture; he preached. Fiery at times. Voice raised, hands pounding his Bible and lectern. His handkerchief was vital for wiping sweat and spittle. When Neal really got wound up, he’d walk excitedly from one side of the platform to the other, folded handkerchief or Bible clutched in his palm, arms waving high, voice raised to the rafters yet quivering under the unction of the Holy Spirit. That handkerchief also came in handy as tears streamed down his cheeks during the alter call.
Neal never attended seminary, but you would not have known it from his pastoral study. He was a voracious reader. His library included books on theology, Biblical studies, preaching, pastoral ministry, Biblical counseling, soul-winning, sermon illustrations, how to marry and bury… and yes, even a large, well-worn copy of Amy Vanderbilt’s Book of Etiquette.
Neal taught by example his three children, Edward, Weston, and Natalie, how to live by faith—the greatest legacy he could have left them. Adventurous in faith, Neal was also adventurous in parenting, allowing the kids to ride motorcycles, drive vehicles and farm equipment on the farm, no matter how young, go hunting, and even jump off cliffs while canoeing a white water river. Neal loved to drive across the country, family in tow, seeing sights. He and Sandra piled all three kids in the car for many annual vacations.
After pastoring full-time and serving in evangelism, Neal became a bi-vocational pastor, serving as an interim pastor at various churches while working during the week as a cattle broker selling large herds of cattle. Before the days of the internet, Neal was constantly on the phone working his contacts, utilizing the earliest mobile phone, the bag phone. Foremost a pastor, even cattle sales turned into opportunities to minister. Potential buyers traveled with him in the truck long hours across Texas and back, providing Neal the perfect time to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them. Many cowboys talked to Neal about their problems, men who wouldn’t otherwise talk to their formal pastor.
Neal’s prayer journal is evidence of his dedication to prayer, and to praying as George Mueller did—with his finger upon a promise from God to plead. Beside each prayer need is the promise from God that Neal was claiming before the throne—later notated with the date that God answered. All hours of the day and night Neal would be found in prayer before an open Bible.
Neal loved to hold and rock babies, especially his own. He treasured his grandchildren Jessica, Jodie, Jackson, Sydney and Mykenna and the special bond they shared. He enjoyed spending hours proudly watching baseball games, horse shows, rodeo play days, gymnastics, volleyball games (by video) and enjoying worship music performed by his granddaughters.
Neal was a straight-talker. Working on the farm with his sons, he used few words—but they were effective, efficient ones. Direct and to the point, he didn’t waste time or words, but his expectations were clear. He was also charming, with a charismatic side that was endearing.
He was mostly the serious type… except when fooling Sandra into thinking he had spider in his hand, or that a mouse was about to get her. Something about her scream was particularly amusing to him … along with the fact that she fell for it every time.
In a world that often values ease and entertainment, Neal taught his children the value of working hard. He modeled a highly uncommon work ethic—a gift they appreciate everyday. They learned from him that they do not have to be the smartest or most gifted to be successful, and that success is not judged by the standards of this temporal world. He taught them to work diligently, be led and empowered by the Spirit not the flesh, and to trust God for the results. Neal also modeled sacrificial love and devotion. His children treasure his love throughout their lives and his selfless devotion to them and their children.
Neal liked coon hunting (lacking the patience for deer hunting or fishing), hound dogs, Australian shepherds, keeping a spotless pickup truck, being organized (from years of sermon notes, to the vows of every couple he ever married, to his children’s birth certificates—everything was always in its labeled place), napping in a well-worn recliner, mowing the yard (push mowing an acre and a half in 100° heat … in sweat pants), sawing trees, burning leaves, Christmas shopping, gift-giving, watching classic westerns, John Wayne, John Hagee, Jentezen Franklin, and the Gaithers … and was always in the mood for a Hallmark movie. He was a sucker for chick flick happy endings where the boy gets the girl. Without fail, after every Hallmark movie, he’d pop the footrest of his recliner down and exclaim, “Well, that was a good one!”
He enjoyed grilling steak, smoking ribs, eating Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice Cream (often with honey on top), root beer, popcorn, and generally anything sweet. Yet he would drink or eat anything, no matter how tasteless or bitter, if you told him it was healthy or good for him.
Neal was always content and hardly ever complained, not even of pain or discomfort. He was forever thoughtful, selfless, and would give you anything of his, even something he used daily and couldn’t do without, if he thought you needed it or it would make your life better.
He taught his family much during his years battling Parkinson’s—how to persevere in faith, be joyful in hope, patent in affliction, grateful for small blessings. Even though he increasingly suffered each year, he remained selfless, thoughtful, mindful of everyone around him, positive, grateful, tender, sensitive … and surprisingly content.
Neal’s proudest accomplishments, we venture to guess, would be his family, how God moved in the churches where he served, his legacy of faith, and his teaching on the faith-life that affected generations and sparked other ministries.
Neal is survived by his loving wife, Sandra; his two sons and their wives Ed and Cindy Nichols, Weston and Shanna Nichols; his daughter Natalie Nichols; grandchildren Jessica (Cody) McCullars; Jodie, Jackson, and Sydnee Nichols, and Mykenna (Caleb) Hartig; great granddaughter Rosalie McCullars; his brothers and their wives Jerry and Linda Nichols, Clifton and Ann Nichols; sister Iris Stanaland; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Neal was preceded in death by his parents Reece and Evie Nichols, brother Preston Nichols, brother-in-law Vernis Stanaland, and was followed in death by his brother Raymond Nichols.
All who loved Neal dearly will never forget his faith, tenacity, selflessness, generosity, and undying love and care for them.
The family would like to thank Josh Havins and the staff of Garrison Nursing Home and Rehabilitation for their love and diligent care of Neal.
A family graveside service will be held January 31, 2021 at Shiloh Baptist Church in Denning, Texas. A public memorial service will be held in weeks to come, after COVID-19 risk improves.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nacogdoches Treatment Center.
"How thankful I am to Christ Jesus our Lord for choosing me as one of his messengers, and giving me the strength to be faithful to him.” — 1 Timothy 1:12
Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors.
In spite of a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease, Neal valiantly fought COVID-19 pneumonia for over a month, but his body proved too weakened from years of degenerative disease. Parkinson’s and Covid did not result in defeat, however. The Bible states that "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” In Christ’s presence where Neal is “death is swallowed up in victory;” "what is mortal [is] swallowed up by life.” (1 Corinthians 15:54; 2 Corinthians 5:4)
Neal was born on August 25, 1940 in San Augustine, Texas to Jerry Reece Nichols and Evie Ethel (Fitzgerald).
He graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in August 1964 with a Bachelor of Science, having served as president of the rodeo club while competing as a steer wrestler. Second to his Savior, Neal’s longest love was horses—a love so contagious it spread even to his extended family’s children and grandchildren. (Family members haven’t yet decided whether to assign to him credit or blame.)
Neal met his wife Sandra on a blind date in June 1963. He asked Sandra out for a second date in July, proposed to her in September, and married her in December. Their whirlwind romance lasted 57 years. He almost made a farm girl out of her, although never a cowgirl.
After marrying Neal, Sandra asked him to leave his job with REA climbing electric poles because of the danger. (But thanks to his REA job and its climbing gear, Neal won his future father-in-law over to the idea of marriage—working daily until he cut down a giant sycamore tree that plagued Sandra’s Dad.) For his final semester of school, Neal drove a school bus for Nacogdoches ISD. Upon graduation he worked for Purina as a serviceman.
Neal later opened a feedstore in San Augustine and worked with youth at First Baptist Church. Neal and Sandra would soon encounter a pastor there whom God would use to transform their walk with Christ. Bill Eustis became the pastor and exposed the young couple to revolutionary teaching about the life of faith—about how to appropriate God’s Word and live by faith in God’s personal promises. Bill regularly asked church members to voluntarily stand and declare what they were believing God to do in their lives, based upon His promises to them in scripture. One Sunday evening, in response to this question, Sandra stood up nine-months pregnant—before the days of sonograms—and declared she was believing God for a little girl. Embarrassed, Neal said he longed for the ground to promptly open and swallow him whole.
Neal, however, soon began launching out on his own adventures in faith. One of his first steps of faith was surrendering his life to preach the Gospel of Christ in June 1973. He was ordained as a minister in Denver, Colorado by Bill Eustis on July 14, 1974.
Neal pastored Shiloh Baptist Church near San Augustine, then moved his family to Appleby, a community outside of Nacogdoches, after being called to pastor Bethel Baptist Church. The small, 100 year-old church had likely never encountered such an unconventional pastor. Neal kept the Sunday schedule lively with special guests, such as a former member of Bonnie and Clyde’s gang, a former member of the Gambino crime family, musical guests, and frequent revival meetings with impassioned preachers of tremendous spiritual depth. The little country church was given exposure to some of the most godly, world-renowned Bible preachers of the 20th century—a rare privilege, especially for people living in such a rural location.
Neal’s heart for ministry was simply that the Spirit of God move in a genuine way and change people’s lives. And that He did. People were hungry for what God was doing at Bethel in the early 1970’s. The church auditorium became so full that people sometimes had to attend services from chairs on the sidewalk outside until a new, larger auditorium was built.
Church members still remark about the blessing of having been there during those years. Experiencing the way God’s Spirit moved in the services was something many say they’ve never encountered since.
Sweet memories from those years also include church snow skiing trips, trail rides, making floats for the rodeo parade, and a church centennial celebration where the congregation re-created the year 1878, dressing in period costumes, riding horse and buggy to church, and having dinner on the grounds afterward.
Neal later organized Northwood Baptist Church in Nacogdoches. There a rodeo clown and his wife, a trick horse rider, brought a horse into the church auditorium. God always seemed to show Neal a creative way to worship and share Jesus Christ with others.
Many people gave their lives to Christ through Neal’s preaching and pastoral visits to their homes, often affecting entire families and future generations.
Neal founded Gospel Truth Ministries in the early 1970’s and preached revivals and meetings under its umbrella throughout his ministry, serving several years in full-time evangelism with Gospel Truth in the 1980’s.
Neal’s handkerchief was indispensable in the pulpit. He didn’t lecture; he preached. Fiery at times. Voice raised, hands pounding his Bible and lectern. His handkerchief was vital for wiping sweat and spittle. When Neal really got wound up, he’d walk excitedly from one side of the platform to the other, folded handkerchief or Bible clutched in his palm, arms waving high, voice raised to the rafters yet quivering under the unction of the Holy Spirit. That handkerchief also came in handy as tears streamed down his cheeks during the alter call.
Neal never attended seminary, but you would not have known it from his pastoral study. He was a voracious reader. His library included books on theology, Biblical studies, preaching, pastoral ministry, Biblical counseling, soul-winning, sermon illustrations, how to marry and bury… and yes, even a large, well-worn copy of Amy Vanderbilt’s Book of Etiquette.
Neal taught by example his three children, Edward, Weston, and Natalie, how to live by faith—the greatest legacy he could have left them. Adventurous in faith, Neal was also adventurous in parenting, allowing the kids to ride motorcycles, drive vehicles and farm equipment on the farm, no matter how young, go hunting, and even jump off cliffs while canoeing a white water river. Neal loved to drive across the country, family in tow, seeing sights. He and Sandra piled all three kids in the car for many annual vacations.
After pastoring full-time and serving in evangelism, Neal became a bi-vocational pastor, serving as an interim pastor at various churches while working during the week as a cattle broker selling large herds of cattle. Before the days of the internet, Neal was constantly on the phone working his contacts, utilizing the earliest mobile phone, the bag phone. Foremost a pastor, even cattle sales turned into opportunities to minister. Potential buyers traveled with him in the truck long hours across Texas and back, providing Neal the perfect time to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them. Many cowboys talked to Neal about their problems, men who wouldn’t otherwise talk to their formal pastor.
Neal’s prayer journal is evidence of his dedication to prayer, and to praying as George Mueller did—with his finger upon a promise from God to plead. Beside each prayer need is the promise from God that Neal was claiming before the throne—later notated with the date that God answered. All hours of the day and night Neal would be found in prayer before an open Bible.
Neal loved to hold and rock babies, especially his own. He treasured his grandchildren Jessica, Jodie, Jackson, Sydney and Mykenna and the special bond they shared. He enjoyed spending hours proudly watching baseball games, horse shows, rodeo play days, gymnastics, volleyball games (by video) and enjoying worship music performed by his granddaughters.
Neal was a straight-talker. Working on the farm with his sons, he used few words—but they were effective, efficient ones. Direct and to the point, he didn’t waste time or words, but his expectations were clear. He was also charming, with a charismatic side that was endearing.
He was mostly the serious type… except when fooling Sandra into thinking he had spider in his hand, or that a mouse was about to get her. Something about her scream was particularly amusing to him … along with the fact that she fell for it every time.
In a world that often values ease and entertainment, Neal taught his children the value of working hard. He modeled a highly uncommon work ethic—a gift they appreciate everyday. They learned from him that they do not have to be the smartest or most gifted to be successful, and that success is not judged by the standards of this temporal world. He taught them to work diligently, be led and empowered by the Spirit not the flesh, and to trust God for the results. Neal also modeled sacrificial love and devotion. His children treasure his love throughout their lives and his selfless devotion to them and their children.
Neal liked coon hunting (lacking the patience for deer hunting or fishing), hound dogs, Australian shepherds, keeping a spotless pickup truck, being organized (from years of sermon notes, to the vows of every couple he ever married, to his children’s birth certificates—everything was always in its labeled place), napping in a well-worn recliner, mowing the yard (push mowing an acre and a half in 100° heat … in sweat pants), sawing trees, burning leaves, Christmas shopping, gift-giving, watching classic westerns, John Wayne, John Hagee, Jentezen Franklin, and the Gaithers … and was always in the mood for a Hallmark movie. He was a sucker for chick flick happy endings where the boy gets the girl. Without fail, after every Hallmark movie, he’d pop the footrest of his recliner down and exclaim, “Well, that was a good one!”
He enjoyed grilling steak, smoking ribs, eating Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice Cream (often with honey on top), root beer, popcorn, and generally anything sweet. Yet he would drink or eat anything, no matter how tasteless or bitter, if you told him it was healthy or good for him.
Neal was always content and hardly ever complained, not even of pain or discomfort. He was forever thoughtful, selfless, and would give you anything of his, even something he used daily and couldn’t do without, if he thought you needed it or it would make your life better.
He taught his family much during his years battling Parkinson’s—how to persevere in faith, be joyful in hope, patent in affliction, grateful for small blessings. Even though he increasingly suffered each year, he remained selfless, thoughtful, mindful of everyone around him, positive, grateful, tender, sensitive … and surprisingly content.
Neal’s proudest accomplishments, we venture to guess, would be his family, how God moved in the churches where he served, his legacy of faith, and his teaching on the faith-life that affected generations and sparked other ministries.
Neal is survived by his loving wife, Sandra; his two sons and their wives Ed and Cindy Nichols, Weston and Shanna Nichols; his daughter Natalie Nichols; grandchildren Jessica (Cody) McCullars; Jodie, Jackson, and Sydnee Nichols, and Mykenna (Caleb) Hartig; great granddaughter Rosalie McCullars; his brothers and their wives Jerry and Linda Nichols, Clifton and Ann Nichols; sister Iris Stanaland; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Neal was preceded in death by his parents Reece and Evie Nichols, brother Preston Nichols, brother-in-law Vernis Stanaland, and was followed in death by his brother Raymond Nichols.
All who loved Neal dearly will never forget his faith, tenacity, selflessness, generosity, and undying love and care for them.
The family would like to thank Josh Havins and the staff of Garrison Nursing Home and Rehabilitation for their love and diligent care of Neal.
A family graveside service will be held January 31, 2021 at Shiloh Baptist Church in Denning, Texas. A public memorial service will be held in weeks to come, after COVID-19 risk improves.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nacogdoches Treatment Center.
"How thankful I am to Christ Jesus our Lord for choosing me as one of his messengers, and giving me the strength to be faithful to him.” — 1 Timothy 1:12
Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors.
Edward Neal Nichols’ faith became sight Wednesday, January 20, 2021 when he passed from the presence of his family to the presence of Christ whom he had served for 68 years since accepting Jesus as his personal savior at the age of 12.
In spite of a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease, Neal valiantly fought COVID-19 pneumonia for over a month, but his body proved too weakened from years of degenerative disease. Parkinson’s and Covid did not result in defeat, however. The Bible states that "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” In Christ’s presence where Neal is “death is swallowed up in victory;” "what is mortal [is] swallowed up by life.” (1 Corinthians 15:54; 2 Corinthians 5:4)
Neal was born on August 25, 1940 in San Augustine, Texas to Jerry Reece Nichols and Evie Ethel (Fitzgerald).
He graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in August 1964 with a Bachelor of Science, having served as president of the rodeo club while competing as a steer wrestler. Second to his Savior, Neal’s longest love was horses—a love so contagious it spread even to his extended family’s children and grandchildren. (Family members haven’t yet decided whether to assign to him credit or blame.)
Neal met his wife Sandra on a blind date in June 1963. He asked Sandra out for a second date in July, proposed to her in September, and married her in December. Their whirlwind romance lasted 57 years. He almost made a farm girl out of her, although never a cowgirl.
After marrying Neal, Sandra asked him to leave his job with REA climbing electric poles because of the danger. (But thanks to his REA job and its climbing gear, Neal won his future father-in-law over to the idea of marriage—working daily until he cut down a giant sycamore tree that plagued Sandra’s Dad.) For his final semester of school, Neal drove a school bus for Nacogdoches ISD. Upon graduation he worked for Purina as a serviceman.
Neal later opened a feedstore in San Augustine and worked with youth at First Baptist Church. Neal and Sandra would soon encounter a pastor there whom God would use to transform their walk with Christ. Bill Eustis became the pastor and exposed the young couple to revolutionary teaching about the life of faith—about how to appropriate God’s Word and live by faith in God’s personal promises. Bill regularly asked church members to voluntarily stand and declare what they were believing God to do in their lives, based upon His promises to them in scripture. One Sunday evening, in response to this question, Sandra stood up nine-months pregnant—before the days of sonograms—and declared she was believing God for a little girl. Embarrassed, Neal said he longed for the ground to promptly open and swallow him whole.
Neal, however, soon began launching out on his own adventures in faith. One of his first steps of faith was surrendering his life to preach the Gospel of Christ in June 1973. He was ordained as a minister in Denver, Colorado by Bill Eustis on July 14, 1974.
Neal pastored Shiloh Baptist Church near San Augustine, then moved his family to Appleby, a community outside of Nacogdoches, after being called to pastor Bethel Baptist Church. The small, 100 year-old church had likely never encountered such an unconventional pastor. Neal kept the Sunday schedule lively with special guests, such as a former member of Bonnie and Clyde’s gang, a former member of the Gambino crime family, musical guests, and frequent revival meetings with impassioned preachers of tremendous spiritual depth. The little country church was given exposure to some of the most godly, world-renowned Bible preachers of the 20th century—a rare privilege, especially for people living in such a rural location.
Neal’s heart for ministry was simply that the Spirit of God move in a genuine way and change people’s lives. And that He did. People were hungry for what God was doing at Bethel in the early 1970’s. The church auditorium became so full that people sometimes had to attend services from chairs on the sidewalk outside until a new, larger auditorium was built.
Church members still remark about the blessing of having been there during those years. Experiencing the way God’s Spirit moved in the services was something many say they’ve never encountered since.
Sweet memories from those years also include church snow skiing trips, trail rides, making floats for the rodeo parade, and a church centennial celebration where the congregation re-created the year 1878, dressing in period costumes, riding horse and buggy to church, and having dinner on the grounds afterward.
Neal later organized Northwood Baptist Church in Nacogdoches. There a rodeo clown and his wife, a trick horse rider, brought a horse into the church auditorium. God always seemed to show Neal a creative way to worship and share Jesus Christ with others.
Many people gave their lives to Christ through Neal’s preaching and pastoral visits to their homes, often affecting entire families and future generations.
Neal founded Gospel Truth Ministries in the early 1970’s and preached revivals and meetings under its umbrella throughout his ministry, serving several years in full-time evangelism with Gospel Truth in the 1980’s.
Neal’s handkerchief was indispensable in the pulpit. He didn’t lecture; he preached. Fiery at times. Voice raised, hands pounding his Bible and lectern. His handkerchief was vital for wiping sweat and spittle. When Neal really got wound up, he’d walk excitedly from one side of the platform to the other, folded handkerchief or Bible clutched in his palm, arms waving high, voice raised to the rafters yet quivering under the unction of the Holy Spirit. That handkerchief also came in handy as tears streamed down his cheeks during the alter call.
Neal never attended seminary, but you would not have known it from his pastoral study. He was a voracious reader. His library included books on theology, Biblical studies, preaching, pastoral ministry, Biblical counseling, soul-winning, sermon illustrations, how to marry and bury… and yes, even a large, well-worn copy of Amy Vanderbilt’s Book of Etiquette.
Neal taught by example his three children, Edward, Weston, and Natalie, how to live by faith—the greatest legacy he could have left them. Adventurous in faith, Neal was also adventurous in parenting, allowing the kids to ride motorcycles, drive vehicles and farm equipment on the farm, no matter how young, go hunting, and even jump off cliffs while canoeing a white water river. Neal loved to drive across the country, family in tow, seeing sights. He and Sandra piled all three kids in the car for many annual vacations.
After pastoring full-time and serving in evangelism, Neal became a bi-vocational pastor, serving as an interim pastor at various churches while working during the week as a cattle broker selling large herds of cattle. Before the days of the internet, Neal was constantly on the phone working his contacts, utilizing the earliest mobile phone, the bag phone. Foremost a pastor, even cattle sales turned into opportunities to minister. Potential buyers traveled with him in the truck long hours across Texas and back, providing Neal the perfect time to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them. Many cowboys talked to Neal about their problems, men who wouldn’t otherwise talk to their formal pastor.
Neal’s prayer journal is evidence of his dedication to prayer, and to praying as George Mueller did—with his finger upon a promise from God to plead. Beside each prayer need is the promise from God that Neal was claiming before the throne—later notated with the date that God answered. All hours of the day and night Neal would be found in prayer before an open Bible.
Neal loved to hold and rock babies, especially his own. He treasured his grandchildren Jessica, Jodie, Jackson, Sydney and Mykenna and the special bond they shared. He enjoyed spending hours proudly watching baseball games, horse shows, rodeo play days, gymnastics, volleyball games (by video) and enjoying worship music performed by his granddaughters.
Neal was a straight-talker. Working on the farm with his sons, he used few words—but they were effective, efficient ones. Direct and to the point, he didn’t waste time or words, but his expectations were clear. He was also charming, with a charismatic side that was endearing.
He was mostly the serious type… except when fooling Sandra into thinking he had spider in his hand, or that a mouse was about to get her. Something about her scream was particularly amusing to him … along with the fact that she fell for it every time.
In a world that often values ease and entertainment, Neal taught his children the value of working hard. He modeled a highly uncommon work ethic—a gift they appreciate everyday. They learned from him that they do not have to be the smartest or most gifted to be successful, and that success is not judged by the standards of this temporal world. He taught them to work diligently, be led and empowered by the Spirit not the flesh, and to trust God for the results. Neal also modeled sacrificial love and devotion. His children treasure his love throughout their lives and his selfless devotion to them and their children.
Neal liked coon hunting (lacking the patience for deer hunting or fishing), hound dogs, Australian shepherds, keeping a spotless pickup truck, being organized (from years of sermon notes, to the vows of every couple he ever married, to his children’s birth certificates—everything was always in its labeled place), napping in a well-worn recliner, mowing the yard (push mowing an acre and a half in 100° heat … in sweat pants), sawing trees, burning leaves, Christmas shopping, gift-giving, watching classic westerns, John Wayne, John Hagee, Jentezen Franklin, and the Gaithers … and was always in the mood for a Hallmark movie. He was a sucker for chick flick happy endings where the boy gets the girl. Without fail, after every Hallmark movie, he’d pop the footrest of his recliner down and exclaim, “Well, that was a good one!”
He enjoyed grilling steak, smoking ribs, eating Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice Cream (often with honey on top), root beer, popcorn, and generally anything sweet. Yet he would drink or eat anything, no matter how tasteless or bitter, if you told him it was healthy or good for him.
Neal was always content and hardly ever complained, not even of pain or discomfort. He was forever thoughtful, selfless, and would give you anything of his, even something he used daily and couldn’t do without, if he thought you needed it or it would make your life better.
He taught his family much during his years battling Parkinson’s—how to persevere in faith, be joyful in hope, patent in affliction, grateful for small blessings. Even though he increasingly suffered each year, he remained selfless, thoughtful, mindful of everyone around him, positive, grateful, tender, sensitive … and surprisingly content.
Neal’s proudest accomplishments, we venture to guess, would be his family, how God moved in the churches where he served, his legacy of faith, and his teaching on the faith-life that affected generations and sparked other ministries.
Neal is survived by his loving wife, Sandra; his two sons and their wives Ed and Cindy Nichols, Weston and Shanna Nichols; his daughter Natalie Nichols; grandchildren Jessica (Cody) McCullars; Jodie, Jackson, and Sydnee Nichols, and Mykenna (Caleb) Hartig; great granddaughter Rosalie McCullars; his brothers and their wives Jerry and Linda Nichols, Clifton and Ann Nichols; sister Iris Stanaland; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Neal was preceded in death by his parents Reece and Evie Nichols, brother Preston Nichols, brother-in-law Vernis Stanaland, and was followed in death by his brother Raymond Nichols.
All who loved Neal dearly will never forget his faith, tenacity, selflessness, generosity, and undying love and care for them.
The family would like to thank Josh Havins and the staff of Garrison Nursing Home and Rehabilitation for their love and diligent care of Neal.
A family graveside service will be held January 31, 2021 at Shiloh Baptist Church in Denning, Texas. A public memorial service will be held in weeks to come, after COVID-19 risk improves.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nacogdoches Treatment Center.
"How thankful I am to Christ Jesus our Lord for choosing me as one of his messengers, and giving me the strength to be faithful to him.” — 1 Timothy 1:12
Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors.
In spite of a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease, Neal valiantly fought COVID-19 pneumonia for over a month, but his body proved too weakened from years of degenerative disease. Parkinson’s and Covid did not result in defeat, however. The Bible states that "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” In Christ’s presence where Neal is “death is swallowed up in victory;” "what is mortal [is] swallowed up by life.” (1 Corinthians 15:54; 2 Corinthians 5:4)
Neal was born on August 25, 1940 in San Augustine, Texas to Jerry Reece Nichols and Evie Ethel (Fitzgerald).
He graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in August 1964 with a Bachelor of Science, having served as president of the rodeo club while competing as a steer wrestler. Second to his Savior, Neal’s longest love was horses—a love so contagious it spread even to his extended family’s children and grandchildren. (Family members haven’t yet decided whether to assign to him credit or blame.)
Neal met his wife Sandra on a blind date in June 1963. He asked Sandra out for a second date in July, proposed to her in September, and married her in December. Their whirlwind romance lasted 57 years. He almost made a farm girl out of her, although never a cowgirl.
After marrying Neal, Sandra asked him to leave his job with REA climbing electric poles because of the danger. (But thanks to his REA job and its climbing gear, Neal won his future father-in-law over to the idea of marriage—working daily until he cut down a giant sycamore tree that plagued Sandra’s Dad.) For his final semester of school, Neal drove a school bus for Nacogdoches ISD. Upon graduation he worked for Purina as a serviceman.
Neal later opened a feedstore in San Augustine and worked with youth at First Baptist Church. Neal and Sandra would soon encounter a pastor there whom God would use to transform their walk with Christ. Bill Eustis became the pastor and exposed the young couple to revolutionary teaching about the life of faith—about how to appropriate God’s Word and live by faith in God’s personal promises. Bill regularly asked church members to voluntarily stand and declare what they were believing God to do in their lives, based upon His promises to them in scripture. One Sunday evening, in response to this question, Sandra stood up nine-months pregnant—before the days of sonograms—and declared she was believing God for a little girl. Embarrassed, Neal said he longed for the ground to promptly open and swallow him whole.
Neal, however, soon began launching out on his own adventures in faith. One of his first steps of faith was surrendering his life to preach the Gospel of Christ in June 1973. He was ordained as a minister in Denver, Colorado by Bill Eustis on July 14, 1974.
Neal pastored Shiloh Baptist Church near San Augustine, then moved his family to Appleby, a community outside of Nacogdoches, after being called to pastor Bethel Baptist Church. The small, 100 year-old church had likely never encountered such an unconventional pastor. Neal kept the Sunday schedule lively with special guests, such as a former member of Bonnie and Clyde’s gang, a former member of the Gambino crime family, musical guests, and frequent revival meetings with impassioned preachers of tremendous spiritual depth. The little country church was given exposure to some of the most godly, world-renowned Bible preachers of the 20th century—a rare privilege, especially for people living in such a rural location.
Neal’s heart for ministry was simply that the Spirit of God move in a genuine way and change people’s lives. And that He did. People were hungry for what God was doing at Bethel in the early 1970’s. The church auditorium became so full that people sometimes had to attend services from chairs on the sidewalk outside until a new, larger auditorium was built.
Church members still remark about the blessing of having been there during those years. Experiencing the way God’s Spirit moved in the services was something many say they’ve never encountered since.
Sweet memories from those years also include church snow skiing trips, trail rides, making floats for the rodeo parade, and a church centennial celebration where the congregation re-created the year 1878, dressing in period costumes, riding horse and buggy to church, and having dinner on the grounds afterward.
Neal later organized Northwood Baptist Church in Nacogdoches. There a rodeo clown and his wife, a trick horse rider, brought a horse into the church auditorium. God always seemed to show Neal a creative way to worship and share Jesus Christ with others.
Many people gave their lives to Christ through Neal’s preaching and pastoral visits to their homes, often affecting entire families and future generations.
Neal founded Gospel Truth Ministries in the early 1970’s and preached revivals and meetings under its umbrella throughout his ministry, serving several years in full-time evangelism with Gospel Truth in the 1980’s.
Neal’s handkerchief was indispensable in the pulpit. He didn’t lecture; he preached. Fiery at times. Voice raised, hands pounding his Bible and lectern. His handkerchief was vital for wiping sweat and spittle. When Neal really got wound up, he’d walk excitedly from one side of the platform to the other, folded handkerchief or Bible clutched in his palm, arms waving high, voice raised to the rafters yet quivering under the unction of the Holy Spirit. That handkerchief also came in handy as tears streamed down his cheeks during the alter call.
Neal never attended seminary, but you would not have known it from his pastoral study. He was a voracious reader. His library included books on theology, Biblical studies, preaching, pastoral ministry, Biblical counseling, soul-winning, sermon illustrations, how to marry and bury… and yes, even a large, well-worn copy of Amy Vanderbilt’s Book of Etiquette.
Neal taught by example his three children, Edward, Weston, and Natalie, how to live by faith—the greatest legacy he could have left them. Adventurous in faith, Neal was also adventurous in parenting, allowing the kids to ride motorcycles, drive vehicles and farm equipment on the farm, no matter how young, go hunting, and even jump off cliffs while canoeing a white water river. Neal loved to drive across the country, family in tow, seeing sights. He and Sandra piled all three kids in the car for many annual vacations.
After pastoring full-time and serving in evangelism, Neal became a bi-vocational pastor, serving as an interim pastor at various churches while working during the week as a cattle broker selling large herds of cattle. Before the days of the internet, Neal was constantly on the phone working his contacts, utilizing the earliest mobile phone, the bag phone. Foremost a pastor, even cattle sales turned into opportunities to minister. Potential buyers traveled with him in the truck long hours across Texas and back, providing Neal the perfect time to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them. Many cowboys talked to Neal about their problems, men who wouldn’t otherwise talk to their formal pastor.
Neal’s prayer journal is evidence of his dedication to prayer, and to praying as George Mueller did—with his finger upon a promise from God to plead. Beside each prayer need is the promise from God that Neal was claiming before the throne—later notated with the date that God answered. All hours of the day and night Neal would be found in prayer before an open Bible.
Neal loved to hold and rock babies, especially his own. He treasured his grandchildren Jessica, Jodie, Jackson, Sydney and Mykenna and the special bond they shared. He enjoyed spending hours proudly watching baseball games, horse shows, rodeo play days, gymnastics, volleyball games (by video) and enjoying worship music performed by his granddaughters.
Neal was a straight-talker. Working on the farm with his sons, he used few words—but they were effective, efficient ones. Direct and to the point, he didn’t waste time or words, but his expectations were clear. He was also charming, with a charismatic side that was endearing.
He was mostly the serious type… except when fooling Sandra into thinking he had spider in his hand, or that a mouse was about to get her. Something about her scream was particularly amusing to him … along with the fact that she fell for it every time.
In a world that often values ease and entertainment, Neal taught his children the value of working hard. He modeled a highly uncommon work ethic—a gift they appreciate everyday. They learned from him that they do not have to be the smartest or most gifted to be successful, and that success is not judged by the standards of this temporal world. He taught them to work diligently, be led and empowered by the Spirit not the flesh, and to trust God for the results. Neal also modeled sacrificial love and devotion. His children treasure his love throughout their lives and his selfless devotion to them and their children.
Neal liked coon hunting (lacking the patience for deer hunting or fishing), hound dogs, Australian shepherds, keeping a spotless pickup truck, being organized (from years of sermon notes, to the vows of every couple he ever married, to his children’s birth certificates—everything was always in its labeled place), napping in a well-worn recliner, mowing the yard (push mowing an acre and a half in 100° heat … in sweat pants), sawing trees, burning leaves, Christmas shopping, gift-giving, watching classic westerns, John Wayne, John Hagee, Jentezen Franklin, and the Gaithers … and was always in the mood for a Hallmark movie. He was a sucker for chick flick happy endings where the boy gets the girl. Without fail, after every Hallmark movie, he’d pop the footrest of his recliner down and exclaim, “Well, that was a good one!”
He enjoyed grilling steak, smoking ribs, eating Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice Cream (often with honey on top), root beer, popcorn, and generally anything sweet. Yet he would drink or eat anything, no matter how tasteless or bitter, if you told him it was healthy or good for him.
Neal was always content and hardly ever complained, not even of pain or discomfort. He was forever thoughtful, selfless, and would give you anything of his, even something he used daily and couldn’t do without, if he thought you needed it or it would make your life better.
He taught his family much during his years battling Parkinson’s—how to persevere in faith, be joyful in hope, patent in affliction, grateful for small blessings. Even though he increasingly suffered each year, he remained selfless, thoughtful, mindful of everyone around him, positive, grateful, tender, sensitive … and surprisingly content.
Neal’s proudest accomplishments, we venture to guess, would be his family, how God moved in the churches where he served, his legacy of faith, and his teaching on the faith-life that affected generations and sparked other ministries.
Neal is survived by his loving wife, Sandra; his two sons and their wives Ed and Cindy Nichols, Weston and Shanna Nichols; his daughter Natalie Nichols; grandchildren Jessica (Cody) McCullars; Jodie, Jackson, and Sydnee Nichols, and Mykenna (Caleb) Hartig; great granddaughter Rosalie McCullars; his brothers and their wives Jerry and Linda Nichols, Clifton and Ann Nichols; sister Iris Stanaland; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Neal was preceded in death by his parents Reece and Evie Nichols, brother Preston Nichols, brother-in-law Vernis Stanaland, and was followed in death by his brother Raymond Nichols.
All who loved Neal dearly will never forget his faith, tenacity, selflessness, generosity, and undying love and care for them.
The family would like to thank Josh Havins and the staff of Garrison Nursing Home and Rehabilitation for their love and diligent care of Neal.
A family graveside service will be held January 31, 2021 at Shiloh Baptist Church in Denning, Texas. A public memorial service will be held in weeks to come, after COVID-19 risk improves.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nacogdoches Treatment Center.
"How thankful I am to Christ Jesus our Lord for choosing me as one of his messengers, and giving me the strength to be faithful to him.” — 1 Timothy 1:12
Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors.
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