Clifford S. Nicks Jr.

Clifford S. Nicks Jr., 81, passed away peacefully at his home in Pendleton, Indiana on Wednesday May 21, 2025, after a lengthy illness.

Clifford was born on September 26,1943 in Newport, Arkansas to Clifford S. Nicks Sr. and Dorothy Louise (Nance) Nicks. After Clifford graduated from Belleville High School in 1961, he went on to study engineering at Michigan Christian College. After one year of study, he changed his major to music education. He continued his education at the University of Michigan while waiting for his high school sweetheart to graduate from high school. On June 13, 1964, he married the love of his life, Tamara Lee Nickell, 3 days after her high school graduation. They moved to Abilene, Texas where Clifford completed his BS in Music Education from Abilene Christian College in 1966. He began his first teaching job as the band director at Reading High School in Reading, Michigan in 1966. He remained there for the next 17 years. He also taught at several Texas schools including Abilene Christian High School, Anson High School, Breckenridge High School, and Lamesa High School. After retiring from teaching, he and Tami spent several years driving 18 wheelers and eventually purchased their own expeditor truck. In his later years he transported motor homes cross country.

Clifford/Cliff/Nick/Nickie/Dad/Gramps/” Mr. Nicks” was kind, gentle, soft-spoken and humble with a one-of-a-kind sense of humor. He touched countless lives through his teaching and song leading, but it went way beyond his musical talent. His relationship with the Lord allowed him to reach out in a very special way to everyone he came in contact with. He was an avid fan of Michigan Football, the Detroit Tigers and Toledo Mudhens. He even went so far as insisting on wearing his Michigan gear to every medical appointment, having playful banter with his doctors who were not always Michigan fans. GO BLUE!

Above all else, he was an extremely devoted family man who loved the Lord and absolutely adored his bride of almost 61 years. His children, their spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the apples of his eye. He loved them beyond measure and always made sure that they knew it. He delighted in his sisters, his parents, his many nieces and nephews and loved telling stories of the wonderful memories of years gone by. He was a dedicated patriarch of his family who was always generous with his time, wisdom, love and affection.

He is survived by his wife Tami of Pendleton, IN, daughter Wendy (Tom) Cornett of Colon, MI, son Joe (Jamie) Nicks of Canton, TX, daughter Terrie Byars of Pendleton. His grandchildren include Joshua Byars of Pendleton, Heidi (James) Avery of Colon, MI, Kylie Byars of Pendleton, Garett Byars of Orlando, FL, Emily (Austin) Murawsky of Edmond, OK, Jacob Cornett of Goshen, IN, Devyn (Jaxon) Riggs of Kailua, HI, Riley (Emily) Nicks of Lubbock, TX, Drew Byars of Pendleton, Gracie (Adam) Perry of Little Rock, AR, Isaac Cornett of Colon, MI, Avery (Kent) Cates of Lubbock, TX. His great-grandchildren include Liam Avery, Kai Avery, Baylie Riggs, Tylee Cornett and Miles Murawsky. One sister Mary Lynn (David) Tao of Exton, PA. Numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Robert Brian, sister Wilma (Keith) Kennedy Jr, sister Sandra (Rodney) Grantham and a nephew David Grantham.

A Celebration of Life will take place at Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MI on Saturday June 14th, 2025, at 11 am with lunch to follow. Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.

Coldwater Church of Christ

360 Grand St.

Coldwater, MI 49036