Nicholas “Nick” Houston Isenhart, age 39, of Bellingham passed away on Monday, July 17, 2023 as a result of a tragic accident on the construction job site.
Nick was born Dec. 27, 1983 in Bellingham to parents Ken and Marsha Isenhart. He attended Harmony Elementary, graduated from Mount Baker Junior and Senior High School, and then attended Washington State University, where he was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. Go Cougs!
Nick worked various jobs in his early years, but greatly enjoyed the winter of 2006-2007 as a ski instructor at Jackson Hole. He went to work for family-owned Tiger Construction in 2007, and became an owner in 2015.
In December 2014 he met the love of his life DeAnza Fox and they were married on Sept. 7, 2019. In the short time of fatherhood, Nick was able to create memories and share special trips including Marco Island, Hawaii and Colorado, among numerous other small trips with his greatest joys Maddie and Kenny. He was extremely generous and an amazing father and husband. He was a loving family man, patient, supportive and caring. He always made sure his family was taken care of.
Nick was also proud of his lifelong friendships. Nick was a big kid at heart, spontaneous, energetic and likeable. Those traits drew people – lots of them – into his world. He had a great sense of humor and could make anybody laugh. He made all people feel welcomed. He was genuine and had the ability to see both sides of a situation. He believed the best of people and always gave others the benefit of the doubt. He was kind, patient and truly a friend to everyone.
To say Nick loved sports would be an understatement. His high school days included playing football and basketball. He continued to share his passion by coaching youth leagues during his college years. Nick was always up to date in the sports world and you could always count on him for an educational conversation about his favorite teams, the WSU Cougars and Seattle Seahawks. Some of his other favorite pastimes included skiing, snowmobiling, fishing, going to WSU football games, spending time with his family, and sitting around the fire with those he loved.
He will be lovingly missed by his wife DeAnza Isenhart, his children, Madeline Jane (2 ½) and Kenneth Houston (1); his mother Marsha Isenhart; his brother Scott (Anne) Isenhart and their daughters Sarah and Emily. His sister Becky (Kristian) Peterson and their children Kate, Jules and Jack. His in-laws Clyde (Denise) Fox, and Donnell (Ken) Miller; brother-in-law Devin (Rebecca) Fox and their children Makaylee, Matteo, Chevy, Caius, Makennah, Manoah and Coryden; brother-in-law Denver (Michaela) Fox and their children Carter, Raegan, Brooklynn, Eleanor, and Blakely; numerous aunts and uncles and cousins, his close group of childhood and college friends and loyal dog, Molly.
Nick is preceded in death by his father Ken Isenhart, grandparents Sam and Betty Childress and Jim and Clara Isenhart.
A special thank you to the Tiger crew that was with him in his last moments.
Nick’s memorial will be held on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023 at 2 p.m. at the Ferndale Event Center, 5715 Barrett Road, with a reception to follow. A private interment will be at Nooksack Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
