Oscar Nictune Jr.

1938 - 2011

Oscar (Adok) Nictune Jr., 73, passed away on May 27, 2011. Oscar Jr., "Uncle or Grandpa Ozzie or Uncle O," as he was known to everyone, was born on Feb. 13, 1938, to Cora (Tobuk) and Oscar Nictune Sr. of Alatna.
Grandpa/uncle Ozzie didn't have any children of his own, but he had many nieces and nephews who loved and took care of him until his passing. He was especially blessed to have his niece Clara Sam and others at Alatna to help him the last couple years of his life and especially the month that he was in Fairbanks.
He was known for his love, kindness, generosity and patience to his family and friends. This was especially evident during the annual Christmas gift exchange held at the Alaska Tribal Hall. Although he didn't have much money, his gift was always something special, like a marten hat or a beaded item. Because of this, everyone wished he would pick their name for the exchange.
His home was always open for visitors, people were comfortable there and many would spend the night with uncle "O." For a period of time, his brother Wallace and family moved into Ozzie's house so Wallace and Florence's children could attend school in Allakaket. Roy, Ricky and Homer are a few others that were fortunate to live with Uncle "O."
He lived a subsistence lifestyle. He loved to hunt and fish and spent a lot of time on the Alatna River on these subsistence activities.
Ozzie left Alatna when he was a young man to work for the Alaska Railroad for four years. He also worked as a wildland firefighter and a laborer on the trans-Alaska oil pipeline.
Ozzie did not indulge himself in sporting activities, but he loved boxing. His hero was Muhammed Ali. Ozzie would talk and laugh about Ali's boxing tactics - float like a butterfly and sting like a bee or the rope a dope - then he would say with a chuckle, "I coulda knocked him out."
Oscar was preceded in death by his parents, Cora and Oscar Nictune Sr., maternal grandparents Duvak and Dinook, paternal grandparents, Peter and Ticatsok Nictune, siblings, Elma Sam, Bertha Moses, Wallace Nictune, Clara Nictune and twins Freddie and Baby Nictune.
He is survived by his sisters, Kitty (David) David, Ann Edwards, Elizabeth Fleagle and Stella Hamilton; sister-in-law Florence Nictune; and brother-in-law Johnson Moses; and many relatives in the Kobuk region and villages in Interior Alaska, too numerous to name.
A funeral service was held May 30 at the Allakaket Community Hall and he was laid to rest at the Alatna Cemetery next to his siblings and relatives.
A potlatch was held that evening at the Allakaket Community Hall.
Arrangements were entrusted to Fairbanks Funeral Home.