Obituary of Nicholas Kormanik

Nicholas Kormanik, Jr, 70 passed away at the American Lake VA on November 20, 2020. He was born in Las Cruces, NM to the late Nicholas and Laura (Beckett) Kormanik. He served 26 years proudly in the US Army and retired in 2001 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, shortly after a traumatic brain injury. He is survived by his sister Loretta (Kormanik) Hanft; brother-in-law and long-time friend Richard Hanft; daughters Natasha Kormanik and Cecile (Kormanik) Carson; sons-in-law Adam Beaman and James Carson; grandchildren Bennett Carson, Alfred Beaman, and Grant Carson; nieces Nicole (Hanft) Conant and Richelle (Hanft) Godwin, and their husbands John Conant and Seth Godwin; great-nephew Julian Conant; and great-nieces Olivia and Fiona Godwin. He is preceded in death by his older brother Mike Clarence Kormanik. He was a loving and devoted father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and friend to many. 

His daughters will remember him best for his adventurous spirit, his love for country and his ability to make everyone around him feel noticed and special. From scuba diving in the Caribbean to white water rafting in West Virginia, Nick made a point to show his daughters firsthand how to live life to the fullest. He was a man of many passions and loved to travel. He was an advocate for the voiceless and emphasized to his daughters the importance of speaking up. 

Nick will be laid to rest in Las Cruces in a private ceremony with his first cousin Patrick Beckett on December 1, 2020. However, a memorial service to celebrate Nick's life will occur once the entire family can gather safely. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes any memorial donations be made to the American Lake VA, specifically Recreational Therapy or Music Therapy. He greatly enjoyed participating in those venues. 

After clicking the following link: https://www.volunteer.va.gov/ go to VA Puget Sound in WA, then go to Comments: American Lake CLC dementia unit, American Lake CLC Therapy/Music/Recreation