Last updated on December 3rd, 2024
Houchens Food Group has announced the death of former President and COO James “Jimmy” Kent Nichols, on Nov. 5, 2024, 11 days after being diagnosed with glioblastoma.
Nichols was born on July 10, 1959, in Clifton, Texas, and graduated from Crockett High School in Austin in 1977, according to his obituary. He got his start in the grocery industry while still in school, working nights at a Safeway while attending Southwest Texas State University. After graduation in 1981, he continued with what would become a long and successful career in the retail and the wholesale grocery industry.
According to his obituary, Nichols’ commitment to always playing by the rules and hard, honest work led him to 12 different cities, holding multiple positions in seven companies across the industry. Over those 43 years, he also served on the board of directors for Associated Wholesale Grocers, Houchens Food Group, the National Grocers Association and ACE Hardware Corp.
Nichols spent the last 14 years of his career as the president and chief operating officer of Houchens Food Group, “doing a job he loved with people he admired, while leaving a permanent mark on the Houchens legacy and everyone that had the privilege of working with him.”
In its announcement, Houchens Food Group stated, “Jimmy played a pivotal leadership role in his 14-year tenure with Houchens Food Group, leading the development of the Price Less Foods format, which has added significant value to our company over the past 12-plus years.
“In addition to Price Less Foods, he led the development and introduction of Ace Hardware to Houchens Food Group, adding diversity to our portfolio of store banners and significant growth potential.”
Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Linda; three daughters – Amanda, Megan and Katie – and sons-in-law; 10 grandchildren; mother, Barbara Dealy; sisters, Elaine Welch and Shelagh Herzog; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and aunts and uncles.
A memorial service is scheduled for noon on Nov. 22 at JC Kirby and Sons Funeral Home in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in his name to the Palliative Care Unit at Vanderbilt Hospital.
