Obituary of Gary Matthew Nikkari

Gary Matthew Nikkari (“Nikk”), 77, died surrounded by family on Friday, July 19, 2019 at his home in Woodburn, Oregon from a rare form of a Parkinsonism Plus Syndrome called Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD).

 

He was preceded in death by his first wife Beverly Ann Nikkari of Milwaukie, Or. and parents Berniece (Evenson) and Harold Nikkari of Portland, Or.  He is survived by his daughters, Laura Attaway (Joel), Kristi Russell (Rob), and Janet Nikkari. He is also survived by his wife of the past 17 years, Colleen Nikkari, and her children, Stephanie Jones (Troy), Aaron Lindholm (Julie), and Elise Sweet (Jason), as well as grandchildren, Austn, Evan, Madelyn, Olivia, Peyton, Madison, Campbell, and Taylen.  

 

Gary “Nikk” will be remembered as having the kindest, gentlest soul.  He was very caring, compassionate and giving.  His daughters can remember him using his “teacher voice” with a firm tone, but only when necessary and not very often.  

 

Gary was born in Astoria on October 17, 1941 and raised in Portland; he attended Jefferson High School, then Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, after which he began a teaching career in elementary education.  He shared his love of nature and sports with his students, taking his 6th graders to “Outdoor School” annually and running a Summer Recreation Program at Happy Valley Elementary for many years.

 

Gary “Nikk” valued spending time with family and friends over steak dinners and while also doing a wide range of activities. Some of his favorites were refereeing basketball, golfing, accomplishing yard work, traveling to many of our National Parks, taking family vacations, and playing cards. Fishing was his all time favorite pastime, evidenced by years of early morning alarm clocks, quick clothing changes after arriving at work in fishing attire (often with fish in hand), and a perpetual freezer full of salmon and halibut.

 

Gary’s immediate family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to John and Sonja Ferri, Don Krieger, and all of the caregivers, friends, neighbors, and extended family who supported all of us.  Gary’s daughters also want to thank Colleen for her steadfast love and care over the years.

 

A Celebration of Life will be held at Sunnyside Little Chapel of the Chimes at 1 pm. 

( 11667 SE Stevens Rd., Happy Valley, OR  97086 )

 

In honor of Nikk, outdoor themed attire at the service is encouraged.  

 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Oregon Brain Bank at OHSU.

Gary Matthew Nikkari (“Nikk”), 77, died surrounded by family on Friday, July 19, 2019 at his home in Woodburn, Oregon from a rare form of a Parkinsonism Plus Syndrome called Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD).

 

He was preceded in death by his first wife Beverly Ann Nikkari of Milwaukie, Or. and parents Berniece (Evenson) and Harold Nikkari of Portland, Or.  He is survived by his daughters, Laura Attaway (Joel), Kristi Russell (Rob), and Janet Nikkari. He is also survived by his wife of the past 17 years, Colleen Nikkari, and her children, Stephanie Jones (Troy), Aaron Lindholm (Julie), and Elise Sweet (Jason), as well as grandchildren, Austn, Evan, Madelyn, Olivia, Peyton, Madison, Campbell, and Taylen.  

 

Gary “Nikk” will be remembered as having the kindest, gentlest soul.  He was very caring, compassionate and giving.  His daughters can remember him using his “teacher voice” with a firm tone, but only when necessary and not very often.  

 

Gary was born in Astoria on October 17, 1941 and raised in Portland; he attended Jefferson High School, then Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, after which he began a teaching career in elementary education.  He shared his love of nature and sports with his students, taking his 6th graders to “Outdoor School” annually and running a Summer Recreation Program at Happy Valley Elementary for many years.

 

Gary “Nikk” valued spending time with family and friends over steak dinners and while also doing a wide range of activities. Some of his favorites were refereeing basketball, golfing, accomplishing yard work, traveling to many of our National Parks, taking family vacations, and playing cards. Fishing was his all time favorite pastime, evidenced by years of early morning alarm clocks, quick clothing changes after arriving at work in fishing attire (often with fish in hand), and a perpetual freezer full of salmon and halibut.

 

Gary’s immediate family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to John and Sonja Ferri, Don Krieger, and all of the caregivers, friends, neighbors, and extended family who supported all of us.  Gary’s daughters also want to thank Colleen for her steadfast love and care over the years.

 

A Celebration of Life will be held July 29th at Sunnyside Little Chapel of the Chimes at 1 pm. ( 11667 SE Stevens Rd., Happy Valley, OR  97086 )

 

In honor of Nikk, outdoor themed attire at the service is encouraged.  

 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Oregon Brain Bank at OHSU.

 

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