Thomas George Nickel

Livestream of Mass on Monday, November 11, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.

Tom was born on June 26, 1943 in St. Louis, MO to Marion Nickel and Marie Nickel (Kastner). He passed away on October 31, 2024. Tom never knew a stranger and was always quick with a joke and a warm smile. He was the best husband, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend anyone could ask for. Tom was a man of faith and a devoted Catholic. Tom Nickel will be dearly missed by all that have had the honor to know him. 

Tom grew up in a loving home in St. Louis and was the middle of three children. His family loved to hear his often-told stories of childhood adventures with his siblings and many friends on North Kingshighway in St. Louis. Tom was a good student and athlete. He starred on the soccer team at St. Louis University High School. After high school, Tom followed in the footsteps of his older brother and enrolled at St. Benedict’s College in Atchison. He studied economics and continued to excel on the soccer field. Tom was twice elected to the Benedictine College Athletic Hall of Fame: in 2013 for his individual achievements and in 2023 as a member of the 1963 Ravens soccer team.

He graduated from St. Benedict’s in 1965 and enlisted in the Kansas National Guard and later the US Army. Tom proudly served in Vietnam. After leaving the Army, Tom started his long and successful career with Sears Roebuck. His work with Sears took him around the country, moving from Kansas City to Ohio to Florida to Georgia, and eventually to Plano, Texas. Along the way he made lifelong friends in each of these cities. Tom also worked for over 10 years for Zale Corporation as the Vice President of Distribution and Facilities. Later in life, Tom worked as the Business Manager at St. Peter’s Parish in Kansas City. 

Even with all of his athletic and business successes, nothing was more important to Tom than his family. The extraordinarily tight bond between Tom and his brother and sister remained in place even as their families grew larger. Every year for over 45 years the three siblings, their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have made time to vacation together at Holden Beach, NC.

Tom’s three children were his biggest source of pride. Everything he did, he did for his boys. He coached sports teams, volunteered at school, and filled their childhoods with endless supplies of love, fun, and his “world-famous” French Toast.

Tom’s family got significantly bigger in 1998 when he married Sandy. Sandy and Tom had a storybook romance – they met and dated in college, went their separate ways, and then reunited later in life. Tom loved Sandy’s kids as his own and was instantly accepted and loved as part of her family. Tom was fiercely loyal and completely devoted to Sandy, both in sickness and in health.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Sandy Nickel. Carrying on his legacy of love and kindness are his children Matthew (Brenda) Nickel, Justin Nickel, and Jonathan (Katelyn) Nickel; his grandchildren, Avery Kralovetz, Bryce Nickel, Kinsley Nickel, and Ford Nickel; his siblings Marion (Jeanne) Nickel and Elizabeth (Keith) Korte; his many nieces and nephews; and his extended family, George (Megan, George V, Vince and Phillip) Kopp, Debby (Mike, Mary, and Robert) Allmon, Amy (Eric, Abby, Hannah, and Libby) Baker and Christy (Brian, Trevor Hill, Mia Hill, and Will) DeFrain.

Funeral services for Tom will be Monday, November 11 at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 2 East 75th Street, Kansas City, MO. The Rosary will be prayed at 9:30am, visitation will be at 10am, followed by Mass at 11am.

Tom will be buried at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Atchison, KS on Tuesday, November 12 at 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Tom’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association or St. Elizabeth Parish.