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Joseph Nye Obituary
LOS ANGELES - Joseph G. "Joe" Nye, 57, of Los Angeles, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Thursday, June 20, 2013, at his home.
Memorial services will be at 4 p.m. July 27 at Kearney Floral.
He was born July 5, 1955, in Kearney to Daniel and Theresa Nye.
Survivors include his siblings and their spouses, Susan and Jack Shroder of Omaha, Neb., Patty and Steve Lydiatt of Monument, Colo., Molly and Pat Morphy of Troy, N.Y., Dan and Kim Nye of Naples, Fla., and Matt and Linda Nye of Huntington Beach, Calif.; his nieces and nephews who loved him dearly; and many, many friends from coast to coast.
He was an acclaimed interior designer. He graduated from Kearney High School in 1973 and received his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1977. Joe began his design career in his hometown of Kearney by working at Kearney Floral for 10 years.
From there he worked in furniture retail management in Kodiak, Alaska, and Kansas City then settled in Los Angeles. In 2002, he launched his interior design business, Joe Nye Inc.
Joe received many awards for his work and appeared in many leading publications such as House Beautiful, Elle Decor, In Style, The Franklin Report, The Los Angeles Times and The New York Times. He had been on House Beautiful's list of the country's 100 best decorators since 2003 and was part of House Beautiful's 2006 Celebrity Showcase. In 2009, he was part of the Kips Bay Showhouse in New York City.
Joe was a strong supporter of P.S. ARTS and co-hosted the Los Angeles Antique Show to raise money and awareness for this nonprofit organization that brings art education to children in under-served public schools.
Joe published a book, "Flair: Exquisite Invitations, Lush Flower and Gorgeous Table Settings," in 2009. In recent years, he also designed a series of ceiling, table and floor lamps for the Virtual Comfort Lighting Co.
Joe will be remembered not only for his unique creative style and passion that made him a one-of-a-kind decorator but also for his quick wit, charm, warmth, humor and over-the-top generosity. He will be sorely missed.
Memorials are suggested to P.S. ARTS, 1728 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Suite 101, Venice, CA 90291 or www.psarts.org.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Nye
Marya Nault
August 7, 2013
Sherringa was in Kodiak for the weekend and told me about Joe's recent passing. I have such fond memories of Joe's time in Kodiak. He was so much fun, and had such talent. He truly livened things up here! I still appreciate decorating ideas around my home suggested by Joe during that time. He made many friends here during those years. We loved him very much! So hilarious! Time you spent with Joe was always very special. Marya
Elizabeth Knapp
July 27, 2013
What an Amazing designer and beautiful person. You will be surely missed by all. Thank you for spreading your creativity on the world.
Nicole McGrath
July 17, 2013
I am so saddened by the loss of such a special guy. Joe was incredibly generous and kind. I'll never forget the fun times we had with him both in NY and LA. Every time I think of Joe I smile. He was just so funny and smart. How sad for the world to have lost him so soon. All my love to the Nye and Morphy families!
Thomas Hamel
July 15, 2013
Dearest Joe,
You were a treasure and the world was a better place with you in it!
There are so many wonderful memories that I carry with me of our times together in NYC, Los Angeles, and here is Sydney... We were hoping for the next visit here last year! I am grateful for your introduction to lovely friends, we all come together now to celebrate you.
Thankfully I had a big hug on Melrose Avenue in May, I will cherish this memory .
You are missed,
Love,
Thomas
Jeff Chojnacki
July 14, 2013
I met Joe some years ago when I had just moved to Los Angeles and took a job in the design industry here and did not know a soul. I met Joe at a party and he took me under his wing making sure I met all the right people. His kindness and generosity were only outdone by his talent. Joe had real talent, the kind you are born with, amazing taste and knew that the details always mattered the most, weather it was a trim or an arrangement of books etc. His sense of style and elegance stood out in a city of wanna be designers! He was the real deal! he was always so well dressed and always wore those amazing Belgian loafers! I will miss him alot!
Jeff Chojnacki, Los Angeles
ST
July 14, 2013
I was a client who became a friend, as did almost everyone who ever worked with Joe. Creative, charming, witty.. from his Belgian loafers, to the pocket silks and seersucker suits...style personified. I loved him dearly and will miss him always.
Danita Lowes
July 14, 2013
Joe was my decorator and my friend.
I met Joe in 2004 when I hired him to recreate my house in Jackson, Wyoming. He did a beautiful job. I also hired Joe for the interiors of my new home in Sydney, Australia. He was unable to complete the Sydney project; however, his choice of colors, insights into using the home, furniture selections, etc. will forever make the place very special. The last chair for the house, selected by Joe, was completed on the week of his death and is now on a ship bound for Sydney.
Beyond Joe's amazing talent for design, I also admired his kindness of spirit and generosity to others. He was amazingly helpful to me when I spent 2 1/2 months in LA due to the premature birth of my twins. I watched him shine this spirit on many others as well.
I found it very sad to watch Joe decline over the past 18 months or so. When I saw him in March, I knew that he was not well. I hope that he has found the peace that he deserves.
Joe, you will be missed by many. Thank you for all you did for me and my family.
Yours,
Danita
July 12, 2013
I had the honor of working side by side with Joe for so many years....for me, I will never forget the Joe Nye who was above amazingly talented, was so witty and charming and told me stories about his growing up in Nebraska... we just got each other since I'm from Nebraska also, I've truly lost apart of my heart with Joe's passing....I will forever think about Joe each and every day for the rest of my Life!
My blessings go out to each and every one of Joe Nye's family
I know in my heart Joe is smiling down on all of us with no pain....
Lee Ann
Stephen Salny
July 11, 2013
Dear Joe:
You were a great friend and support to me. We didn't have enough time together, but what you represented in my life has and always will inspire me 24/7. I miss you!
Love,
Steve
July 11, 2013
Joe was a dear friend in high school. we would sneak out and have lunch together many times. He was always so much fun. we did drift apart after school was over but I will never forget the fun we had at KHS
Janice Peterson-Sawyer
Carol Kobza
July 10, 2013
Joe is a treasure and an unforgettable spirit. I will never forget his sharp wit, his smile and his great, big heart. Carol Kobza
July 10, 2013
July 10, 2013
Dear Family and Friends of Joe Nye,
I talked to Joe the last time on May 20th. We always talked at length about
memories and his roots..how he loved
them.
He was a wonderful employee at Kearney
Floral. He earned great respect for
his superior work and imagination.
I will miss our conversations about many things...he was a very principled individual.
May he rest in peace.
Joan Erickson...Lincoln.
July 10, 2013
Joe Nye and I were long, long time friends in Kearney and in college at UNK and UNL. I will never forget the fun times in the Nye family kitchen on 21st Street - all that gourmet food in the frig, thanks to Teresa. We shared lots of laughs in that kitchen. After he moved to LA, we remained friends and talked often. It meant a lot to me that he remembered and loved his Kearney roots after making it "big time" as a designer in LA. I could write so much more....Blessing to Patty, Susan, Danny, Matt, and Molly. As you know, I loved Joe very much.
Sincerely,
Anne Erickson
July 10, 2013
i will remember Joe with fondness and respect. We emailed and talked by phone many, many times.
Sincerely, Joan Erickson
July 10, 2013
I loved Joe from the time he came to Barlow and Jeanette Nye's home when he was very young... along with his darling siblings...he was so extremely polite and polished for a 7 year old child.... jean Nye.... wife of Tom Nye who is now deceased....His many friends from his profession will miss him very, very much......
July 10, 2013
Dear Nye Family,
I loved him from the day we met. A great good guy who I will carry in my heart forever. May the peace of God be with you all.
Jean Frey
Bruce Whitacre
July 9, 2013
Dear Nye Family,
I was a classmate of Joe's in Kearney schools but we really connected when I lived in LA in the 90's. He was a generous, talented and fascinating friend and I will miss him. His success should make his family and the town of Kearney very proud--he always cited his Nebraska roots. Please know you and he are in my prayers.
July 9, 2013
Dear Nye family,
I went to high school with Joe and have the best memories of him--he was wonderfully fun and polished--even at that young age. You must be so proud of his success and even more so of his generosity and kindness. My prayers are with your family. Rest in peace, dear Joe-you have made a commendable difference in this world.
Jeanie Stutzman Weber
Fort Collins, Colorado
Sheila Keen Prosser
July 9, 2013
In Memory of our classmate, who will be remembered for his smile, hilarious wit and dedicated friendship.
Sympathies to the Nye families and prayers as you grieve the loss of a wonderful son, brother and uncle.
Kathy Campbell RN
July 8, 2013
Nye Family: My sympathy on your loss of Joe. I remember how proud his dad was of him: Dr. Nye telling those at Platte Valley Medical Group of Joe's accomplishments. Joe's philanthropy is commendable.
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