Nicholas Gobel's Obituary
NICHOLAS GOBEL
Nicholas Edward Schmidt-Gobel, AKA Schmitty 26, of Tacoma, Washington passed away on October 1, 2017 surrounded by his loved ones. Nicholas was born on August 8th, 1991 10 weeks early at Mary Bridge Hospital in Tacoma Washington. He attended Life Christian Academy, Ballou Jr High & Graduated from Gov. Rodgers High school in Puyallup, Washington.
A compassionate, thoughtful, loving, articulate & one of the most brilliant young man you’ll ever have met. Nicholas was a beacon of light & an example to all that knew him. He had a kind, gentle soul. Nicholas was one of the most giving & loving person you will ever meet. When Nicholas was a child he’d give you whatever you wanted for example when he met a child that was less fortunate than he was & they wanted whatever he had with him even if he’d had just gotten it , he would tell me he was done with it & asked if he could give it to them. We could all learn from his heart. At about 5 or 6 when asked what he wanted for Christmas he said, “I don’t need anything. I want my Christmas presents to go to the poor kids.’’ He really meant it.
He loved family, friends, his pets & as we all know he was a Hugh Star Wars fan. He was a big reader and was passioned about acting, golf, politics, music, singing, playing his guitar & hanging with his family & friends. Nicholas tot himself to play the guitar. There wasn’t much Nicholas couldn’t do. If he didn’t know how he’d get online to read up on what to do. He always was able to figure it out. He had an amazing sense of humor, what sticks out the most is at his kindergarten Christmas concert. After they performed everyone sat down. But not our Nicholas, he bowed which got the Audience to clap and this set him off. He would do the courtesy bow over and over the more he did the more laughs. Then he would wave and off he went. I knew then he was meant to perform. Everyone loved him, even people that didn’t like kids he won over. Besides all the wonderful friends Nicholas had, he has a large family and he was so good at making everyone feel like they’re the most important person to him. He’s heart was so large I’m sure to him each and everyone of us are. He was the anchor of our family & his friends and He hated confrontation. He was the most generous person I know, he would give you the shirt off his back and actually did that. If you ever needed anything no matter what time it was or wherever it was he was there for you. Nicholas was such a given person that he gave even after he passed. His final act of giving was donating his organs to help others.
He is survived by his parents; Gary & Teresa Johnson, Bradley Gobel, his brothers: Gary Johnson Jr & Dylan Johnson, step brother Brice Johnson. his grandparents: (Papa & Mamo) Gerald & Judy Schmidt, William & Judy Gobel; , On his dads side; His aunt & Uncle-Renee & Peter Scott and cousins- Spencer and Ben; on his mothers side ( Aunts order of age with their children): Aunt Robin Larsen : Cousins- Stephanie remembers going over to papa and Mamo’s and watching tv, playing Video games, lightsaber fights and because of Nicholas she is a big Star Wars fan, And Robert - Robert enjoyed watching the Seahawk games with papa and Nicholas ; Aunt Pamela and Uncle Tim Coterill : For a short time when Nicholas moved to Oregon he lived with her; Cousins: Shannon and her husband Jeff Schilpp and her three children; Téa, Caleb, Sophia: When Nicholas was born Shannon was in grade school and loved him so much. She always wanted to play with him like a toy. She would be one of the first to protect him. She protected him like she was his big sister. Téa- she would spend a lot of time coming over to Uncle Gary and Aunt Teresa’s house. Nicholas was still in school. He got her watching Harry Potter and they would watch it over and over and over Again.’ Caleb- Nicholas used to enjoy playing football with Caleb.; Greg (goes by Andrew) and his wife Zabie Kowalski and their three boys (Drew, Devin and Daren). From the time Nicholas came home Andrew loved him. One of his fondest memories is when he went to Disneyland with Nicholas. As they got older they became best friends. They may have been cousins but they called each other brothers. The last part of Nicholas life he lived off and on again with Andy and his family (mostly on). Second cousins: Drew, Devin, Daren- Nicholas loved these boys as much as if they where his own. He helped coparent and even would joke at times that he felt he was the parent to all of them. They may have legally been second cousins but as far as Nicholas and the boys - they are his nephews and they called him Uncle Nicholas. Nicholas would baby sit the boys whenever was needed. There isn’t anything that he wouldn’t have done for them.
Aunt Becky and Uncle David Sipes; while Nicholas was in his mothers tummy Becky spent a lot of time with her. Her favorite memory is when he pushed up against her tummy and you could see the complete footprint. To this day she loves baby feet. Cousins: Mathew Sipes and his son (Second cousin) Oliver: Mathew loved playing turtles and war with Nicholas. Amanda remembers when they went to LA for a week. Somehow they ended up at a tattoo parlor and so Amanda decided to get a tennis bracelet tattoo. The guy took forever and was sweating so. When he finally was done it was hideous. Since I had already paid for it I just left. Nick asked me why I let him keep my money. She said Nicholas was such a manly man child. He marched us back In there and and asked to speak to the manager and demand they give me my money back. They did. Now she see Nicholas’s face every-time she looks at the ugly tattoo. So now she will keep it so she will always be reminded of her Nicholas.
Aunt Gail Schmidt: Gail remembers coming over to play hearts with dad and mom - Nicholas was only about 18 months. They opened and mix 3 puzzles (ages 3-5 up and took away the holder that showed where each peace went) so while they played. She couldn’t believe in under 2 minutes he had all 3 puzzles together. She joked that she didn’t need an 18 month old making her look stupid.
Aunt Nina Kunz ; The last few months while Nicholas was staying with his papa and Mamo while he was getting everything ready to head to LA. During this time Aunt Nina enjoyed their morning coffee and hearing his day plans and after he realized she was walking Mamo’s dog Daisy by herself he started going each night around the block with her. She misses the excitement in papa’s face as he talked about fantasy football and Cousin William Bradley-William really misses the long talks with Nicholas. Even though the age difference Nicholas never made him fell like he was a baby. He always asked how his day was. Even if Nicholas was going down the street to the store he would invite him to go. Nicholas was so up with music and he took the time to reach William. If Nicholas said to listen to a song william knew it would be good and never second guessed it. He enjoyed watching Game of Throne with him and that he took him to Deadpool.
Aunt Sonya Johnson, Caroline & Uncle David Villarreal, Uncle Jimmy & Denise Johnson and cousins Craig, Ryan & Katie Johnson , Madison, Alex, Mia, Michael, Conner and 2nd cousins Taylor, RJ and Jordan.
We could go on and on with all that loved him.
The memorial service will be held on Monday, October 16, 2017 @ 11:00 AM – Life Center Church 1717 S. Union Ave – Tacoma, WA 98405. Reception immediately following.
What’s your fondest memory of Nicholas?
What’s a lesson you learned from Nicholas?
Share a story where Nicholas' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Nicholas you’ll never forget.
How did Nicholas make you smile?