Patrick Clifton Wilkins

Notable local personage, Patrick Clifton Wilkins Sr. passed away on May 1, 2022 at home in Salem, Oregon. He was born on December 6, 1927 in Gordon, Nebraska to Madge Alyce German Wilkins and Walter William Wilkins Sr. His family moved to Oregon in 1935, looking forward to new opportunities away from the tribulations of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. He was the last remaining survivor of his immediate family.

Patrick served in the Army during WWII supporting the occupational forces in Japan with duties including secure transport and was witness to court proceedings of high-ranking war criminals at the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal.

Through four decades, Patrick was a familiar face on KATU, the ABC affiliate in Portland, Oregon, and voice to thousands of Northwest television viewers who tuned into his newscasts as news director, lead anchor, assignment editor, and reporter. He was best known for his on-the-road feature reports, known as Northwest Journal that captured the history and heart of the region. After retirement he wrote for a local newspaper and authored five books incorporating many news reports and feature stories from his body of work, Somewhere in Oregon, Somewhere in the Northwest, Somewhere in Eastern Oregon, Somewhere in Oregon: Gems of State History, and Perfect Dog Tales and Stories of Other Remarkable Animals.

Patrick enjoyed the outdoors and traveled with a fishing pole, always at the ready, throughout his life. He spent many years restoring automobiles including his adored TR3. And, in more recent years, his beloved dog Hydi acted as copilot for their fun adventures. Hydi preceded him in death in 2020.

He is survived by his wife, Gayle Goodman Wilkins, five children, Kimberly Wilkins, Patrick Wilkins II, Mason Wilkins, Douglas Wilkins, and Darci Gottman; eight grandchildren; two great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Burial Service will be on Tuesday, May 17 at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon. It is recommended to arrive no later than 1:00 in order to gather for the procession down to the service site. Light refreshments will be served afterwards at the home of Kimberly Wilkins, address to be provided at the service.