Louis Art Nickas, 72, passed away on December 7, 2025 due to complications from his battle with colon cancer. He was born and lived most of his life in Price, Utah, before his illness forced him to spend his final days in the care of his children in Salt Lake City.

Louis wore many hats in his professional life, starting with driving for his father’s coal trucking business, Nickas Trucking, eventually becoming a partner in the business. He then spent over twenty years working for Carbon County in the Maintenance, Weed and Mosquito division before retiring at 65 years old. Along the way, he also briefly owned a bar, and taught Automotive Refrigeration at the College of Eastern Utah, and ran a small side-business repairing auto air-conditioning systems. He kept half the county cool in their cars on the road. He also found time to volunteer as a youth baseball coach in the Price Central WBBA League and Castle Valley Babe Ruth baseball leagues for several years and volunteered at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church as well.

Those who knew Louis always knew where they stood with him. If he liked you, he treated you like family. If he didn’t, you would know pretty much right away. Beneath his gruff exterior laid a heart of gold. Pops, you left a hole that none of us can ever fill.

Louis is survived by his daughter, Christa Nickas; son, Michael Nickas (Clarissa); their mother, his former wife, MeLinda Dennis; his father, Art Nickas; sister, Lisa Rasmussen (Dwight); brothers, Mike, George (Leslie); niece, Mady Rasmussen (Colin); nephew, Peter Rasmussen (Rachel); aunts, Vera and Penny; along with many, many cousins.

Preceded in death by his mother, Madeleine.

Our deepest gratitude goes out to his physician, Dr. Nicholas Hansen; oncologist, Dr. Benjamin Solomon; and the wonderful folks with Utah Cancer Specialists and nurses Mallorie, Tanner, and Jessica with CNS Hospice. You truly gave it your all for him, and we appreciate you.

Louis did not want a formal funeral, but a private graveside service for family members will be held at a later date.

He often donated anonymously to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and in his memory, we would like to encourage all of you to do the same.

Arrangements are entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends and family are welcome to share memories of Louis online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.