James Michael Nichols

James Nichols, 70, of Petoskey, Michigan, died May 13, 2026, at home in Levering, Michigan. He was born January 20th, 1956, in Lansing, Michigan, to Ann Lycos (Wilcox) and Eugene Nichols.

Jim, or as his family called him Mike, had a successful career in police work. He began his career after high school in 1974, as a Military Police officer in the United States Army. He served for 6 years, traveling overseas to Germany. After the Army, he continued his career with the Valparaiso City Police department as a Patrol officer. In the 6 years Jim served at the VPD, he met his wife Kathy, and they were married for 44 years.

Jim trained to become a canine officer and furthered his career as a canine officer with United States Customs and Border Protection. He retired from there as a Customs & Border Protection Canine Supervisor, after 23 years of service. During his 35 years in public service, Jim received numerous accreditations honoring his achievements. He was a member of the Porter County FOP Ewalt Jahnz Lodge #165.

In his youth, Jim played football at Petoskey High School and enjoyed driving around Petoskey MI with his friends in his 1967 Chevy Camaro he shared with his sister, Cindy. Jim enjoyed playing softball on a league in Chicago; Illinois, going fishing in Sioux Lookout, Ontario with his wife, children, grandchildren, and his in-laws Jane and Ken Kibble; and spending time with his family. After retirement in 2010, Jim started working at the Porter County Sheriff’s office, along with his wife Kathy, as court security for 5 years until he moved his family to Petoskey, Michigan. There he spent his time watching his grandchildren grow and spending it with his family. Inspired by his faith in Jesus Christ, Jim found a calling to teach his grandchildren the Word of God. Jim had peace knowing that when he passed, he would meet his savior in Heaven. 

Jim is survived by his wife Kathryn (Kibble) Nichols, son Aaron Walters and his three children Macie, Avery, and Finley, Daughter Corin Nichols and her three children, Sirrennittie, Alexander, and Evangeline, and Daughter Jessica Nichols. He is also survived by his sister Cynthia (Kim) Eaton, Sister Jennifer Wilcox, and Brother John Wilcox, stepsisters Verna Knight, Cheryl McGinnis, and Mary Hulet, along with stepbrothers Tom and Robert Linderman. 

He was preceded in death by his father Eugene Nichols and Stepmother June (Dingler) Nichols, Mother Ann (Lycos)Wilcox and Stepfather Wayne Wilcox, and sister Annette (Nichols) Rivera. Along with many nieces and nephews. 

A memorial service will be held in Valparaiso, IN at a later date, with burial at Angelcrest Cemetery.