Nikki Jean Whitty

May 24, 1945 - April 14, 2011

COQUILLE - Coos County Commissioner Nikki Whitty died April 14, 2011 after a courageous 6-month battle with cancer. She was 65.

She was born on May 24, 1945 in Atascadero, California to June and Victor Hungerford. She graduated from Toledo High School, and moved to San Diego for a short time. She returned to Newport, Oregon and lived there until moving to Salem in 1984 and then the South Coast area in 1993.

Her early career was in real estate as a broker, escrow officer and development company executive. From 1985 to 1993, she held several positions in state government. She served as a legislative assistant for her husband, State Rep. Jim Whitty, D-Coos Bay; worked on the staff of State Sen. John Brenneman, R-Newport; was Caucus Administrator for C.T. "Cub" Houck in the Senate Minority Office; and was executive assistant to Treasurer Tony Meeker in the Oregon State Treasury.

In 1993, she became South Coast Area manager for CCD Business Development Corporation, a position she held until she was elected a county commissioner in 1998. As Coos County commissioner, she was a tireless volunteer for economic development and for the well being of the county's citizens.

She was active on local and state boards and commissions. She was a member of Gov. Ted Kulongoski's 2006 Task Force on Land Use Planning. She chaired Rural Development Initiatives and Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) District 4, consisting of Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson and Josephine counties. She was also a member of the Coquille Rotary Club and was a Paul Harris Fellow; VFW Auxiliary Patriotic Instructor and a member of the Coos County Fair Board.

Nikki was loved by all for her bright smile and for her willingness to do anything for her family, friends and constituents. She was a woman of vision who was able to see the big picture, set goals, and then bring people together to achieve those goals. She was respected for her bipartisanship,

She was a loving wife, a giving mother, and a proud grandmother.

Nikki is survived by her husband, Jim Whitty, Coquille OR; son, Noah Hall; granddaughter, Grace Hall, and grandson, Aidan Hall, all of Salem OR; sister, and spouse Mitchele & Loring Kunshier, Springfield OR; stepchildren and spouses James and Jaye Whitty Jr., Portland, OR; Katherine and Bill Roberts, Punxsutawney, PA; Molly and David Ford Charleston, OR; Therese and Wendall Wall Gresham, OR; Timaree and Dennis Kelley, Portland OR; Joseph and Jeanne Whitty, Corvallis, OR; and Margaret and Bill Richter, Beaverton, OR; nineteen step grandchildren, and three step great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 7th, at 1:00 p.m. in the large auditorium of the Coquille Community Building at 115 North Birch Street, Coquille.

The family suggests memorial contributions to: Friends of the Library, 105 N. Birch, Coquille, OR 97423; Veterans Stand Down 2011, c/o Oregon Coast Community Action, 2110 Newmark, Coos Bay, OR 97420; or Maslow Project (for Homeless youth), 760 S. 2nd, Coos Bay, OR 97420.

Arrangements are entrusted to Amling/Schroeder Funeral Service - Coquille Chapel, 541-396-3846

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Statesman Journal on Apr. 26, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Nikki Whitty

1 Entry

Rintha Renoud

April 29, 2011

I met Nikki when she was working for Cub Houck & still a Republican. She became a democrat after starting work for her soon to be husband Jim. Attending the Republican annual gathering in Seaside we shared a motel room & I discovered that Nikki could rally on till the late night & still get up at sunrise to start her day with that huge smile.

Absolutely tireless and always in a positive mood. I tried to explain to her that I wasn't really a"morning" person and she told me I was missing the best part of the day. With reluctance I got up and found that even though we were the same age she had the energy of a teenager!

She will be missed by anyone whoever knew her.