Phillip Jack Stolz
Obituary
Phillip Jack Stolz
Longtime Nikiski resident Phillip Jack Stolz died Saturday, Sept. 30, 2006, at home with his friends and family by his side. He was 60.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at the American Legion Post No. 20 in Kenai. A potluck reception will follow the service at the Hunger Hut Bar in Nikiski, Mile 26.5 of the Kenai Spur Highway. Military honors will be performed by VFW Post No. 10046 and American Legion Post No. 20. His ashes will be scattered at the family homestead in Nikiski at a later date.
Mr. Stolz was born May 23, 1946, to Louie and Thelma Stolz in Spokane, Wash. He entered into the U.S. Navy in 1965 and served two combat tours in Vietnam, patrolling rivers on swift boats. He was awarded the Bronze Star for rescuing 157 Vietnamese from a sinking boat that was trying to escape the Viet Cong. Six years later he was honorably discharged in 1971. After service in the Navy, he attended college courses in Bellingham,Wash., and worked as a roofer. He moved to Nikiski in 1975 and worked as a welder’s helper and pipe insulator. He commercially drift fished Cook Inlet for 31 years and owned and operated a steam bath in Astoria, Ore. in the late 1970s. He was a member of American Legion Post No. 20 and UCIDA.
“Phil battled the cancer that took his body with stoic resolve. In keeping with his character he responded, ‘It’s been a good ride.’ He was tough but loyal and loving to his family. He was able to reunite with his son, who relocated to Nikiski to be with and care for his dad for his final two months. Together they embodied that toughness, loyalty and love. His love for boats and the water never ceased. Sail on sailor,” his family said.
Mr. Stolz was preceded in death by his father, Louie Stolz; mother, Thelma McConnell; and brothers, Harold and Timothy Stolz.
He is survived by his son, McKenzie Jack Stolz of Eugene, Ore.; sisters, Linda and her husband, Gary Superman of Nikiski, Sandra Jones of Nikiski and Sharon Lamm of Salem, Ore.; brother, and sister in-law, John and Judy Stolz of Nikiski; and nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations may be made in Phillip’s memory to the Stolz family to P.O. Box 7086, Nikiski, AK 99635.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel in Kenai.