James Armand Nichols, 90, passed away on October 28, 2026. He was a loving partner, devoted brother, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, generous friend, and a faithful Christian. His kindness, cheerful optimism and gentle wisdom will always be missed.

Jim was born on January 18, 1936 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the first of two sons born to Armand Peter Nichols and Twylah June Kittlested Nichols. His brother, Keith, was born 9 years later. Jim graduated from Eau Claire High School in 1953 and attended business school in Minneapolis before moving to Boulder, where he graduated from the University of Colorado with a business degree in 1961. He served as a 2nd lieutenant in the Army and later worked as a bank examiner for the Federal Reserve Bank in Minneapolis.

Jim met and married Janet Stensland in Humboldt, Iowa, in 1964. His two children, Dawn and Grant, arrived in 1966 and 1969. The family moved to Denver, where Jim worked as a bank auditor, a career that demanded the highest personal integrity. He made many friends that he kept for decades, and he earned his colleagues’ respect with a firm and consistent standard of excellence throughout his professional career.

From 1969 to 1975, Jim and his family lived in Santa Barbara, California, and he worked for Santa Barbara National Bank. In 1975 they returned to Colorado, and Jim continued his challenging career in banking in Colorado Springs and Denver. He and his wife, Jan, parted ways in 1984 but remained good friends, and soon Jim started a new life in the San Francisco area, working for First Nationwide Bank and then StarOne Credit Union, where he finished his long and rewarding career in 2013, retiring at the age of 77.

Jim loved playing senior softball as a pitcher with the Redwood City Seniors Softball League, and his team played in the World Senior Games several times. He served as a volunteer with the Humane Society and Sutter Health, and served on several boards, including the American Musical Theater San Jose and Terrace Gardens low income housing in Milpitas. He was honored to serve on the Civil Grand Jury for Santa Clara County, and on the Senior Advisory Committee for the City of Mountain View. Jim loved his country deeply, and he enjoyed learning from and listening to others.

When Jim met Jill Plant in 1989, his life changed immeasurably for the better. The two have been inseparable for 37 years, and Jill’s large family accepted him warmly from the very beginning. Jill’s successful career in physical fitness meant the two of them stayed active: dancing, including a VIP visit to Dancing With the Stars, working out, swimming, rides together in Jim’s beloved Corvette, travels to Canada, England, France and Italy. Their romance was an inspiration to their family and friends.

Jim is survived by his true love, Jill Plant; his friend and former wife, Jan Nichols; his brother, Keith Nichols (and Carol); children, Dawn Munson (and Tom), Grant Nichols (and Darlene), his stepchildren, David Plant (and Heather), Christopher Plant (and Kim), Jillanne Popolizio (and Gino), Jennifer Plantenberg (and Erik); his grandchildren, Andy Munson, Peter Munson (and Jessica), Laurel Cabral (and Joe), Ryan Popolizio, Chase Plant, Kennedy Plant, Brock Plantenberg, Ashley Plantenberg, Ian Plant, Ellis Plant; great-granddaughters, Abigail Cabral and Emily Munson; nephews Brad Nichols (and Michele), Cory Nichols, and great- nephew, Riley Nichols.

The family wishes to thank BridgePoint Senior Living in Los Altos, Pathways Hospice in Sunnyvale, and Messiah Lutheran Church for their loving care of their father in his final months. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 9 from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm at Messiah Lutheran Church, 1835 Valota Road, Redwood City, CA 94061. Memorial donations to Messiah Lutheran Church are preferred.