Obituary of John Todd Nickel

John Todd Nickel, of Tulsa, Oklahoma passed away peacefully at home on April 19, 2025, surrounded by his adoring family. John was born on August 10,1935 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He is preceded in death by his parents, Harold Reginald Nickel and Rebecca Ann (Todd) Nickel, John’s infant son, brother Harold “Gil” Gilliland Nickel, John’s infant grandson, his son-in-law Richard “Dick” Grimes, his grandson, Alexander Francis Lloyd and granddaughter, Olivia Ann Nickel.

John grew up working in his parent’s retail landscape nursery in Muskogee. As a young entrepreneur at the age of 22, John envisioned growing plants in containers and created Greenleaf Nursery Company on Lake Tenkiller in Park Hill, Oklahoma. Today, Greenleaf is one of the nation’s largest wholesale producers of shrubs, trees, and container-grown plants, with locations in Oklahoma, Texas and North Carolina.

In 1979, John partnered with his brother Gil to restore the nearly 100-year-old Far Niente Winery in Oakville, California, now on the National Register of Historic Places and recognized as one of the world’s greatest wine estates.  In 1997, the sister-brand Nickel & Nickel began producing 100% varietal, single-vineyard wines.

John’s love for nature began at age 10 when his dad Harold took him and his brother Gil on an Illinois River camping trip.  John was passionate about many things: horses, building and restoration projects, wildlife conservation, protection of natural lands and waters, architecture, landscape architecture, horticulture, ranching, farming, wine, bourbon therapy, travel with his family, exercise and skiing in the rugged terrain and splendid vistas of the Rocky Mountains. He was an avid fly fisherman, with a great appreciation for the art and the peaceful solitude of the sport. He was passionate about nature and committed to preserving the wonders of our planet for future generations. 

In 2000, John T. Nickel began donating 14,000 acres to the Oklahoma Chapter of the Nature Conservancy to ensure the land would remain pristine and undeveloped. Nestled in the rolling hills of eastern Oklahoma, overlooking the Illinois River; the J.T. Nickel Family Nature and Wildlife Preserve is the Ozarks’ largest privately protected conservation area. His business interests include Greenleaf Nursery Company, Greenland Investments, and the Caney Creek Ranch.

John was named Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young in 1998.  He was awarded The Nature Conservancy’s first Oak Leaf Award and a Wildlife Stewardship Award from Nature Works in 2004.  Another of John’s long-held desires was realized in 2005 when a herd of native elk was reintroduced to the Nickel Preserve after being hunted out more than 150 years ago. John was inducted into the Tulsa Hall of Fame in 2007 and inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, Oklahoma’s highest honor,  in 2019.

We mourn the loss of John T. Nickel, but we also celebrate his outstanding accomplishments and a life well lived. John leaves an enduring legacy of excellence, determination, and integrity that will continue to inspire all who knew him.

John is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Julie Michelle Nickel, his children: Debra Ann Nickel Goerner and her husband (Rick) of California; Brenda Ellen Nickel Grimes of Tahlequah, Erik Todd Nickel and his partner (Michael) of California, Rebecca “Makenzie” Nickel Bartovick and husband (Alex) of Tulsa;, John “Landon” Nickel of Tulsa.  Grandson, James “Weston“ Grimes of Tahlequah; sister-in-law, Beth Yorman Nickel of California; nephew, Jeremy Justin Nickel and wife (Asha) of Hawaii.  John leaves behind many friends, extended family members, and over 1,000 employees, whom he considers extended family.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. at Greenleaf Nursery Company, 28406 Highway 82 in Park Hill, Oklahoma 74451.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made in John’s name to The Nature Conservancy-Oklahoma Chapter (918)419-1089  or Tulsa Botanic Garden (918)289-0330.  Yoiu may either mail a check to The Nature Conservancy – Oklahoma Chapter at 10425 S. 82nd E. Avenue, Suite 104, Tulsa, OK 74133 and include “in memory of John Nickel” or visit the website at  [nature.org/donateOK]nature.org/donateOK, select Memorial Gift, and then include “John Nickel Tulsa, OK”

Ninde Funeral & Cremation (918)742-5556 ninde.com

Please refer to www.johntnickelcelebrationoflife.com for all memorial and contribution details.