Clifford 'Kicker' Oliver Wilkins, 78
Clifford “Kicker” Oliver Wilkins, 78, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother, passed away too soon, surrounded by loved ones, on Oct. 21, 2017, at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.
Cliff was born Jan. 4, 1939, in Hamilton to Oliver (Cliff) and Helma (Maki) Wilkins. He was a graduate of Hamilton High in 1958 where he was involved in many sporting activities. He spent much of his younger years at the Maki Ranch in Corvallis with his grandparents, Aunt Helena and Uncle Earl Maki, and cousins Jack, Neil, Ralph and Kevin, whom he considered his brothers.
Cliff then moved to Coram and began working in the construction and logging field, until he went to work for Canyon Logging, then Ureco Inc. for the next 35 years as a heavy equipment operator. He was a member of the Coram West Glacier Volunteer Fire Department from 1967 until Oct. 21, 2000, serving as assistant fire chief and remaining on the board as an active member.
Cliff married the love of his life, Carol Brooks-Byrne of Kalispell, on Feb. 23, 1965. They shared 53 wonderful and cherished years together while raising a family of four children. He was an amazing man who had unconditional love and kindness for his family and was always there to help those in need.
He helped start the Canyon Men’s Pool League around 1972, which he ran until he retired in 2000 and began the Canyon Men’s Softball League around 1969 after finding a love for the sport in Libby years prior. He also enjoyed playing for the Columbia Falls Men’s Town basketball team for several years after moving to Flathead Valley.
He loved hunting, fishing and spending time with family and friends. He enjoyed long drives and sharing with the family all of the roads he helped build. There was nowhere that the family traveled that Cliff did not point out a road he helped build.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Cliff and Helma Wilkins, nephew Mike Potter, and beloved cousins Ralph and Jack Maki.
He is survived by his loving wife Carol, sister Marlene (Allen) Potter of Coram, daughters Lisa (Craig) Knight of Walla Walla, Washington, Ann Thomas of Crestview, Florida, and Becky (Kevin) Mackenstadt of Coram, and son John (Darci) Wilkins Kalispell. Cliff was proud of his eight grandchildren, Matthew (Anne), Jeremy (Julie), Jana (Ryan), Jason, Kacey (Jonathon) Josh, Brittany and Jessi; 13 great-grandchildren, Emily, Natalie, Jake, Robbie, Conner, Amelia, Cora, Matthew, Kinley, Grayson, Avery, Jackson and Lucia; honorary grandchildren, Mike Nicosia, Teal, Aubrey and Aspen Jacobi; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30, at Darlington Cremation and Burial Service, 3408 U.S. Hwy. 2 East, Kalispell. A reception will immediately follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Coram-West Glacier Fire Department.