Nicholas Konkler

Nicholas Konkler

Nicholas Raymond Konkler, 17, of Auburn, Washington, passed away after a nearly lifelong battle with cancer, Monday, February 23, 2015, at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, Tacoma, Washington.

He is survived by his parents, Vince and Christina Konkler, older brother, Zac Smith. Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and numerous cousins.

In his short time with us Nick had the amazing ability to connect with people from all walks of life. This was apparent by the large group of friends and family gathered by his bedside during his last days with us.

During Nick’s senior year at Auburn Riverside High School he was voted Homecoming King 2014, during his Junior year he was voted “Best Fighter” at the Verizon “No Texting and Driving” Assembly with Golden Tate.

Nick was definitely a car enthusiast, with a love of Classic American Cars. He enjoyed cruising and car shows. During his Junior year he spent the winter building a Chevy 383 stroker engine for his 1988 Blazer, in preparation for the High School Drags. His car put up a respectable time of 12.85 seconds in the quarter mile at 109 mph.

The Mayor of Auburn, has proclaimed March 7, 2015, as “Nicholas R. Konkler Day of Remembrance.” ….Whereas, a life cut short by cancer causes us much sadness, we can take a small amount of comfort to know that Nick’s motto of “Keep on Truckin” can live through us and we can carry his example of giving and caring about those around us even when things may not be going as we would like;

We were not quite ready to say goodbye, but we are happy to know that you are no longer suffering. Thank you for everything that you taught us about life, and how to live it. Thank you for being so amazingly caring and giving to everyone around you.

May your burnouts in heaven be plentiful, smokey, and loud.

In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made in Nick’s honor to any of the following Charities: Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, http://pbtf.convio.net/goto/nicksflightcrew, or send checks made out to Puget Sound Ride for Kids with a note saying it’s a donation in memory of Nick Konkler, 302 Ridgefield Court, Ashville, NC 28806, “See Ya Later” Foundation, http://www.seeyalater.org/syl-washington/donation-form-to-wa/, PO Box 1281, McMinnville, OR 97128, Mary Bridge Children’s Foundation, waystohelp.multicare.org, PO Box 5296, Tacoma, WA 98405

A celebration of life service will be held at 6:00pm, Saturday, March 7, 2015, at Auburn Riverside High School, 501 Oravetz Road, Auburn, Washington 98092.