Robert Ellsworth Nichols, 84, of Poteau, OK, passed away January 30, 2011 in Henryetta, OK. He was born January 23, 1927, in Tulsa, OK, to Charles Augustus Sr. and Florence Adelia (Doggett) Nichols. Robert married Margaret Ann Martindale on February 2, 1949 in Tulsa, OK. He was a WWII veteran of the U.S. Army Military Police and he loved the ranch life. As owner of Nichols Construction he built houses and was awarded the first contract for clearing the multimillion dollar navigation project at the Keystone Dam site, and later the clearing job for the Oologah Reservoir. He was a top-of-the-line dozer operator and was a perfectionist in all his accomplishments. He also worked at a coal-fired electric power plant in Hattiesburg, MS. After retirement he did extensive genealogical research and wrote his autobiography. He was also involved in one of the last area cattle drives from the Collinsville area to the stockyards in Catoosa. This is the only way they moved cattle at that time.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Charles Augustus Nichols, Jr.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years Margaret Ann (Martindale) Nichols of the home; a son Robert Nichols, Jr. and wife, Rebecca, of Bixby, OK; three daughters, Debby Clark and husband, John, of Spiro, OK, Adelia Webb and husband, Steve, of Hattiesburg, MS and Felicia Crow of Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren, Jessica and Kayla Nichols of Bixby, 1st. Lt. Kristopher Clark and wife, Luciana, of Denton, TX, Spc. Sharla Clark Barnes of San Antonio, TX, and husband Ryan Barnes of Tulsa, OK, Grant Webb and wife, Shelley, and Jay Webb all of Hattiesburg, MS, Emily Bandin and husband, Alex, of Casa Grande, AZ, Lauren and Dustin Kirkland of Phoenix, AZ; great-grandchildren, Alyssa and Tatiana Gillum of Claremore, OK, Jennifer, Kevin and Kathleen Clark of Denton, TX, Dylan Arzillo and Kailynn Russell, A.J., Breanna, and Stevie Bandin of Casa Grande, AZ; as well as numerous other family, friends, and loved ones.