Nicholas Scott "Nick" VanDenDriessche
7/12/1968 – 6/23/2020

On Tuesday June 23rd, 2020, Nicholas Scott "Nick" VanDenDriessche passed away unexpectedly at Integris Hospital in Oklahoma City, OK. He was born on July 12, 1968, in Charlotte, Michigan, to Linda Cochran and James Michael "Big Jim" VanDenDriessche.

Nick, his Mom & brother Bill moved to Lake Whales Florida where he loved fishing, swimming and being out on the ocean, then later he moved back to Michigan to continue learning how to cowboy with his Dad. He always had a good horse, but didn't usually get to keep him long, cause just when he got him where he liked him. Dad would have him sold to someone else, but he loved working with horses.

Nick left home at an early age of 16 to see what was out there in life. He dropped his roots in Hereford, Tx cowboying for the local feed yards. When he wasn't working the feed yards, he was shoeing horses, riding colts or trading horses. He built saddles with Jimmy Payne. When he wasn't living in Hereford, he'd go back to Hastings, Michigan, where his Dad now lived, doing what he loved, cowboying. He and his father would attend and work the Sale Barns trading horses in the area. If there was a rodeo going on you can bet that Nick had entered the Saddle Bronc riding. He joined in with Matt Whitman, Roy Uselton, Walt Parker & Jake Holiday traveling all across the country traveling with hitting the rodeo circuit. He was #15 of IFR for 1999, #9 of IFR for 2002 & #14 of IFR in 2003 in the Saddle Bronc Event. After leaving Hereford Tx & Hastings Michigan behind Nick moved to El Reno Oklahoma for ranching job. Then a few years later he ended up living near Watonga, Oklahoma where he went to work for a company operating heavy equipment. Soon Nick would start his own company Rafter V Dozers doing dirt work around the area finally being able to build the Rafter V Ranch, training ranch horses & raising Corriente cattle. Nick loved to teach others about cowboying & ranching. Nick was always there to help a friend & naturally good at working with horses and cattle.

Nick is preceded in death by his father, James Michael VanDenDriessche, his step-father Troy Cochran, and step sister Darla Cochran.

He is survived by his mother, Linda Cochran; a brother, Bill and wife, Melinda all of Lake Wales, Florida; a brother, DJ VanDenDriessche in Nashville, Michigan; a sister, Wendy VanDenDriessche of Spokane, Washington; a step sister, Bobby Jo Aiston of Hastings, Michigan; a step sister, Shonda Dimitri, of Ocoee Florida; a step sister, Rhonda Clements of Auburndale, Florida; his life partner, Stacey Knoll of the home in Watonga, OK; and his children, Catherine VanDenDriessche of Pampa, TX; Cody Matthews and wife, Britoni of Comache, TX; Augusta Marie Owens & husband, Tyler of Canyon, TX; Hattie VanDenDriessche of Bath, Michigan; Samantha Aiston of Cleveland, TX; Sophie VanDenDriessche of the home in Watonga, OK; Ruby VanDenDriessche of the home in Watonga, OK; and Allie VanDenDriessche of Marlow, OK. Nick is also survived by his nieces, nephews, and several grandchildren who he loved deeply. The family is grateful for all the heartfelt condolences and the many stories that have been told. Nick's legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone he interacted with.

The memorial service will be at the Lomega High School gym on Wednesday, July 1, 2020 at 10 A.M. A roping will follow beginning at 2 P.M. at Nick's place for his friends and family to go out in Nick style.

Donations can be made directly to the VanDenDriessche girl's at BancFirst, 124 S. Main St., Kingfisher, OK 73750.