Raymond Allen Nikula

Raymond “Ray” Allen Nikula of Tenino, Washington, passed peacefully at his home, surrounded by family, on the morning of December 24, 2025, following a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 79 years old.

Ray was born on May 17, 1946, in Elma, Washington, where he was raised alongside his four brothers and he graduated from Elma High School in 1964. After graduation, Ray attended the University of Washington in Seattle for a year and a half before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1967.

Between completing basic training and reporting to his first duty station, Ray married the love of his life, Kathy Zyski, on October 19, 1967. They shared over 58 years of marriage and raised two children, Misty Nikula and Jeff Nikula.

Ray proudly served 13 years in the Marine Corps, including a tour in Vietnam in 1970. During his military career, he completed his bachelor’s degree in history at the University of Idaho in Moscow and graduated from Officer Candidate School in 1974. Ultimately, Ray attained the rank of Captain before his military retirement in 1980.

Following Ray’s retirement from the Marine Corps, the family returned to Olympia, Washington, where they lived until 1990. During this time, Ray worked for the State of Washington as an excise tax examiner. Ray continued his lifelong love of farming, tending a large garden and raising chickens and cattle.

In 1990, Ray and Kathy moved to their 38-acre property near Tenino, Washington, where they built their forever home. They resided there for the remainder of Ray’s life.

Ray was preceded in death by his father, Robert Nikula, Sr.; his mother, Mary (Baker) Nikula; and his brothers, Bob Nikula, Jr., and Ed Nikula. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Kathy (Zyski) Nikula of Tenino, Washington; daughter, Misty Nikula of Portland, Oregon; son, Jeff Nikula of Olympia, Washington; and brothers, Art Nikula of Tenino, Washington, and Richard Nikula of Magnolia, Texas.

Ray was loved by a large extended family.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Ray’s memory to the Disabled American Veterans.

In accordance with his wishes, Ray will be laid to rest at a VA cemetery, close to his Marine Corps brothers. He was a Marine to the end.

Semper Fi.