James Paul "Jimmy Nik" Nikolaus
1916 - 2003

A celebration of life will be held for 81 - year Owens Valley resident James Paul "Jimmy Nik" 
Nikolaus, 87, on Saturday, July 19, 2003, at 10 a.m. at Mendenhall Park at the corner of Baker 
Creek Road and School Street in Big Pine.

Born in Mason, Nev. On Jan. 9, 1916, Mr. Nikolaus died on July 14, 2003 in Reno, Nev.

Jim was the second of four children born to his German-Swiss parents, Emilie and Paul Nikolaus.  
He came to the Owens Valley on the Slim Princess when he was six years old, and attended Big 
Pine School.  He purchased his first service station when he was 19 years old, and expanded his 
business line throughout the years.  At one time Jimmy owned his own school bus, delivering 
students from Aberdeen, Glacier Lodge and Zurich, the town named by his mother, to Big Pine 
School.

He had been known to stop in the middle of a snowstorm to help a stranded motorist along the 
roadway.  He had picked up hitchhikers at all hours and taken them to safety, even giving them a 
few dollars to get a meal or repair a vehicle if needed.  He was very active with his community, 
being a charter member of the Inyo Associates, the Big Pine School Board, the Big Pine Fire 
Department, the Big Pine Civic Club and the Big Pine Cemetery Committee.

In 1992, he was honored as Man of the Year in Big Pine.  He was also active with mining and 
construction.  He built the Bristlecone Motel /Service Station and Country Kitchen in Big Pine, 
in addition to having a full service Chevron Station in the middle of town.  His most recent 
business venture was the Texaco Station in Bishop and its Nikolaus Car Wash.

He loved the Owens Valley and loved to help people.  Jim will be deeply missed by those who knew 
and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Emilie Nikolaus; and sister, Lillian Nelson.

Jim is survived by his wife of 68 years, Betty; son and daughter-in-law; Dennis and Linda Lee 
Nikolaus of Bishop; daughter and son-in-law, Kris and Jim Nelson of Big Pine; brothers, Alfonse 
Nikolaus of Independence and Donald Ben Nikolaus of Big Pine; grandchildren, Edward Nikolaus of 
John Day, Ore., Chani Nelson Colburn of Quartz Hill, Larry Beaman of Bishop; and seven 
great-grandchildren.

Donations in Jim's name may be made to the Alzheimer's Support Group of the First United 
Methodist Church, at 205 Folwer St., Bishop, CA, 93514, or a hospice of donor's choice.

The Inyo Register, Bishop, Inyo County, California
Thursday, July 17, 2003 - Page A3
Transcribed by Pat Houser for Inyo County GenWeb, October 24, 2004