James Lynn Nicholas

James Lynn Nicholas was united with Christ and the love of his life, Wanda, on Sunday June 7th, 2026. He was born to Don Nicholas and Eloise (Hawk) Nicholas in Fremont, Ohio on July 1st,1956 along with his siblings: Donny Nicholas, Sherry Nicholas, Jerry Nicholas and Sandy (Nicholas) May, all of Fremont. Through his dad, who worked with Baumann Auto Group for many years, Jim gained a love of cars, and his mom instilled a love of Polish cuisine, especially cabbage rolls. He earned an Accounting Degree from Terra State Community College, but his most memorable time in school was among the Fremont Ross Little Giants’ stellar golf team that won the state championship in 1973, then he graduated in 1974. He kept a passion for sport resulting in many club championship trophies, multiple hole-in-one plaques and most of all great friendships formed on the greens of Sycamore Hills and The Fremont County Club. He was an avid Cleveland and Buckeye’s sports fan with one exception when he took his dream trip to the Super Bowl in California to cheer on his cousin, Bob Brudzinski of the Miami Dolphins.

He worked in Retail Management for many years beginning with athletic equipment for the Fremont Athletic Supply and then he moved to Pharmaceutical/Retails Sales with Lane Drug Company and then Rite Aid Corp in Clyde Ohio.

He married Wanda Sue (Maenle) on September 20th, 1990. Their love story spanned over 40 years, marking the beginning of his most joyful role in life as her husband and Dad to her children, James (Dawn) Higgins, Shantel Laird and Cora (Jim) Arquette. Wanda’s children hit the jackpot in the world of stepparents as Jim stepped up to be the best kind, one who doesn’t have to but chooses the role of a father. While he loved his kids and role as a Dad, he and Wanda’s favorite role together was being grandparents to 7 grandchildren: Scott Higgins, Dusting Higgins, Destany ( Brian ) Hovater, John Connor ( Molly ) Michich, Riley ( Charlie ) Hammer, Whitney ( Paul ) Lockwood and TJ ( Crystal ) Laird, along with 11 great-grandchildren through Ohio and Florida: Ca’lee and Amiyah Higgins, Sophia, Riley, Clark and Tessa Hovater, Beau and Bella Lockwood, Hans and Maggie Hammer and Charlotte Laird. He brought them all his hearty laugh that made you laugh with him, and encouraged everyone who knew him to find joy and be happy, even in the tough times.

The family will gather for a private ceremony and request that donations be made to The American Diabetes Association.