Malta, NY - Judge James R. Nichols, Sr., passed away Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at Saratoga Hospital. He was 68. Born on March 29, 1946 in Saratoga Springs, he is a son of the late Walter "Buzz" and Jean Braim Nichols. Employed by the Saratoga Springs Police Department for several years, he also worked for the Saratoga County Sheriff's Department and as a mechanic at the Saratoga Springs School Bus Garage. He proudly sat on the bench as Malta Town Justice for 30 years and was very well respected by his peers, the community he served and his loving family. James also loved his performance cars and trucks and cherished the time he spent at his camp at Stony Creek. He was a member of the NY State Magistrates Association and the NRA. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his wife Carol L. (VanWagner) Nichols, who passed away in 2009. Survivors include his son, James R. (Marla Jo) Nichols, Jr. and a grandson Justin James ("JJ") Nichols, all of South Glens Falls; one brother, Daniel Nichols of AZ and a sister, Karen Micele of Michigan. Relatives and friends may call from 6 to 8pm Monday, June 9, 2014 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs 584-5373. Funeral services will be conducted at 10am Tuesday, June 10th, at the funeral home and burial will follow in the family plot at Maplewood Cemetery. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff and nurses at Saratoga Hospital's A-3 and emergency department for their kind and professional care and concern. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Assoc., 2 Pine West Plaza, Suite 204, Washington Ave. Ext., Albany, NY 12205. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com.