Brad Lee Nicholson

It is with heavy hearts that we announce Brad passed away at OHSU hospital in Portland on November 13 at the age of 66, following a prolonged battle with heart disease. He was surrounded by family upon his passing.

Brad Lee Nicholson

Brad was born on March 7,1958, at Klamath Valley Hospital in Klamath Falls, Oregon. He graduated from Lost River High School in Merrill, Oregon, in 1976. His nickname while growing up was Buddy because there wasn't a person who met Brad with his easy going personality, keen sense of humor, and beaming smile that didn't consider him a friend.

Brad worked for the Orem family in Merrill throughout high school. After graduation he moved to Sisters and was employed by Bill and Mike Reed during which time he mastered his construction skills. In 1988 Brad established his own company, Nicholson Construction, specializing in custom built homes in Central Oregon.

Brad was a stellar athlete and participated in numerous sports during his lifetime. He was a member of the Bend Roughriders rugby club from 1979-1996 and also played city softball and basketball for many years. Most notably Brad participated as an individual athlete in the Pole Peddle Paddle in Bend from 2003-2012 placing in the top three five times including a first-place finish in his age division. Other hobbies included wakeboarding, water and snow skiing. He enjoyed all genres of music and was a wonderfully talented swing dancer. Brad was always excited to go elk and deer hunting with friends and family.

Brad and his wife,Terri, delighted in time spent together and took part in many activities and travels over the years. A favorite pastime was chukker hunting where they enjoyed taking their camp trailer and side by side to the Steens mountains, his personal utopia on earth. They became members of the Outlaw Riders, a side by side group, traveling and riding in locations including Moab, Utah, and the dunes on the Oregon Coast.

In 2021, Brad and Terri moved to Fort Klamath, Oregon, after purchasing Crater Lake Country Suites. They continued the construction business as well as fixing up their newly purchased property and short-term vacation rentals.

Brad is survived by Terri, his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 21 years; son Austin (Karlee) Nicholson and grand children Oaklynn and Waylon; step-daughter Jennifer (Nick) Kintzler and grandsons Dashiell and Maddox; step-son Christopher (Kelsey Reznick) Ashley and grandchildren Charlotte Joan, Mavis, and Minerva; mother and step-father Donna and Robert Fensler; brothers Larry (Karen) Nicholson and nephews Ryan (Kat) and Benjamin; Gary (Deborah) Nicholson and nephew Jesse and niece Kenzie (Nico Morales); Jeff (Mary) Nicholson and nephews Teddy (Erica) and Bradley and niece Anna; sister Lisa (Gary) Zimmerman and nieces Lindsay and Kelsey; brothers-in-law Kenny (Joannie) and Steven Hawkins. Brad was preceded in death by his father Bill Nicholson as well as Terri's parents, Ron and Joan Hawkins.

A celebration of life will be held after the new year in Sisters.

In lieu of flowers consider a donation to the Civic Improvement Club of Fort Klamath P.O. Box 483 Fort Klamath, OR 97626 in Brad's memory.