Kurt Malloy Nichols

Kurt Malloy Nichols passed away unexpectedly on 9 June 2024 at the age of 63 at his home outside of Medina, Texas, where he shared his life living on a nature preserve in the Hill Country with his beloved wife, Rosemary Reynolds whom he married in 2021.

He was born to Charlene Ross and Reginald Nichols on June 21st, 1960. A lifetime fan of sports, “Coach” Nichols came from a legacy of football players and teachers. Throughout his varied career, he was a Coach and Teacher for 38 years at the high school and collegiate level starting in 1983. Coach Nichols epitomized the ‘old school’ tough but fair reputation as a football coach. He devoted his life to the development of young men in our society, teaching young boys to become men, taking responsibility for their actions, while understanding the importance of what it takes on
the field to function as a winning football team. Kurt spent 15 years as a head coach at Ranger and Cisco Colleges, followed by a three-year stint as head coach at East Central University in Ada, OK. The last four years of his career, Coach Nichols enjoyed leading Medina and Leakey SixMan Football teams in the Hill Country prior to his retirement from coaching. Winning the Heart of Texas Bowl in 2005 as head coach of Cisco Junior College in 2005, Kurt considered his crowning achievement. 

Throughout his childhood and up through high school, Kurt apprenticed with Terry Hanks where he learned how to build boat houses, barns, and decks. Swinging a hammer, painting and carpentry work, oil field jobs kept him afloat financially throughout his life, especially during summer off season as a source of additional income. Kurt’s fierce work ethic and eccentric nature started early. At age ten, Kurt sold Tyler roses early Saturday mornings on the street corners in Houston to earn enough money to buy his first motorcycle at age 13. (He rode his entire life, traversed practically every county road throughout Texas and parts of Oklahoma.) Attending John Tyler high school, Kurt was a natural born athlete playing high school ball where he was Team Captain. He graduated from Tulsa University where he played football for the Golden Hurricanes as center for the O Line. He was All-American 3rd Team UPI; Honorable Mention AP 1981. Professional playing experience included playing for the New Jersey Generals and the Michigan Panthers. Kurt also held a Master’s degree in Education from Southwest Baptist University and a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. Throughout his childhood, Kurt loved the outdoors, read constantly to satisfy his insatiable thirst for knowledge. With a love for painting and drawing, Kurt taught art for years to middle school and high school students. He considered teaching art to his many students as a wonderful offset to the pressures of coaching. He was a renaissance man who also loved history (in particular Native American history), beekeeping, historical monuments and architecture, anything outdoors, and organic gardening. Throughout his life, he treasured motorcycle rides, barbecuing for his friends and family, watching and coaching football and anything involving the outdoors. Throughout his adult life as a coach and father of his two beautiful children, Ali and Ross, Kurt didn’t think twice to drive great distances to see his family, coaching brothers, and players, even riding once from Texas to California to watch one of his coaching buddies’ games.

Those who knew Kurt would say he was larger-than-life, the guy who sucked the oxygen out of a room, never knew a stranger, and touched deeply the lives of so many. His life is one that quietly sowed into the lives of all young men, some who did not have fathers or father figures. He ran his race well and now he has received his crown. Coach Nichols will be dearly missed by all. 

Kurt Nichols is preceded in death by his parents Charlene and Reginald. 

Kurt Nichols is survived by his wife: Rosemary Nichols, son: Ross Nichols and spouse Cassidy Castleberry, daughter: Ali Nichols and spouse Payton Galvez, stepson: Harry Sundet, stepdaughter: Isolde Sundet, brothers: Mike Nichols and John Nichols, sister: Shannon Rademacher, and granddaughter: Addison Nichols. 

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday June 15th in Medina, Texas
at Medina Community Church with Pastor Bill Stegemueller of Medina Community Church officiating. Upon conclusion of the memorial service, immediate family will be having a graveside service for him in Throckmorton, Texas at Throckmorton cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Ross Nichols, Harry Sundet, John Nichols, Mike Field, Scott Maxfield, and Robert Estes. Memorials may be given to Medina Community Church 263 Reed Avenue Medina, Texas, 78055.