Thomas Dean Nivens

Thomas Dean Nivens, 61, of Jamestown, Mo., passed away unexpectedly Thursday, December 08, 2016 at SSM Saint Mary's Hospital in Jefferson City. He was born on August 10, 1955 in California, Mo., to Norman and Nevelyn (Edwards) Nivens. When Tom was born, the Nivens family lived in Marion, Mo. Norman's job moved the family to Owensville, Mo., and Boonville, Mo., before finally settling down in Jamestown, Mo., in 1960. Tom attended all 12 years at Jamestown C-1, where he graduated in 1973. Tom earned a scholarship for baseball at State Fair Community College in Sedalia earning his Associates Degree in Physical Education. While attending State Fair Community College he played on their basketball team. After graduation he worked for Nivens TV and Appliance for twenty years. Then he worked as a mail carrier for the Jamestown and California Post Office. He also was a substitute teacher for Jamestown C-1 for several years. He loved sports, hunting, fishing, collecting arrowheads and being with his family and friends. Thomas is survived by: his two daughters, Kathryn Elizabeth "Katy" Nivens and Jessica LeeAnn "Jessi" Nivens both of California, Mo.; his father, Norman Nivens; three brothers, Norman Kenneth "Ken" Nivens with his wife Linda, James David "Jim" Nivens with his wife June, Gary Steven Nivens with his wife Kathy; three sisters, Judith Ann "Judy" Inglish with her husband Chuck, Carol Virgina Ford with her husband Ray, and Sara Lynn Loesing with her husband Mark; numerous uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by: his mother, Nevelyn Nivens and a sister, Mary Kay Nivens. The family will receive friends at Windmill Ridge Funeral Service on Saturday, December 17, 2016, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow at 3:00 p.m., with Rev. Louis Odneal officiating. Interment will be at New Hope Cemetery at a later date. The family will gather at the Jamestown Community Building in Jamestown following the service. Memorials may be made to the Jamestown C-1 School-Nivens Memorial, 221 School Street, Jamestown, Mo. 65046. On-line messages to the family may be contributed at www.windmillridgefuneralservice.com.