No headline

Clifford (Kicker) Oliver Wilkins

Clifford (Kicker) Oliver Wilkins, 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; cousins Jack, Neil, Ralph and Kevin; who 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.

He 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 the of roads he helped build. There was no where 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 Walla Walla, Washington;, Ann Thomas, Crestview, Florida; Becky (Kevin) Mackenstadt, Coram; and John (Darci) Wilkins Kalispell.

Cliff was proud of his eight grandchildren: Matthew, Jeremy, Jana, Jason, Kacey, Josh, Brittany, Jessi; 13 great grandchildren, Emily, Natalie, Jake, Robbie, Conner, Amelia, Cora, Matthew, Kinley, Grayson, Avery, Jackson, Lucia; honorary grandchildren Mike Nicosia, Teal, Aubrey and Aspen Jacobi; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Services will be held Monday Oct. 30, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Darlington Mortuary 3408 HWY 2 East Kalispell, MT 59903. Reception immediately following. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Coram-West Glacier Fire Department.