Nikki Rae Hoyt
Nikki Hoyt Obituary
Nikki Hoyt, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on September 20, 2025. She was born on February 17, 1950, in Elko, Nevada, to the late Robert Raymond Gray and the late Margaret Gray (King). She lived for two years in Wells, Nevada before moving to Las Vegas where she was raised. After graduating from Valley High School in Las Vegas in 1968 she attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where she met Coleman Hoyt. They were married in the Mesa Arizona Temple on April 1, 1969.
Troy was born to the couple in 1970, and Travis in 1971, while living in Provo, Utah. Coleman graduated from BYU in 1972, and the family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Trina was born in 1975. The family moved to Snowflake, Arizona, in 1976 where Nikki lived the rest of her life. In 1978, Tyler was born and the “Five-Ts” were complete in 1987 with the birth of Trevor.
Nikki suffered from a genetic kidney disease that resulted in a complete loss of kidney function in 2007. That same year her cousin, Judd King, generously donated a kidney to her, substantially prolonging her life. If Nikki were drafting this obituary she would surely include a plug encouraging all those reading this to seriously consider organ donation in life and in death.
A healthy sense of humor was a defining characteristic of Nikki’s personality and her marriage. The couples’ April Fool’s Day anniversary commemorations eventually evolved to include rituals that eschewed convention. It started with them staging elaborate pranks on each other in lieu of customary gifts and date nights. One anniversary Nikki arranged for Coleman to be awakened at 5:00 a.m. by a pioneer-era cannon fired directly outside his bedroom window. Another time Coleman, a volunteer firefighter, asked for a truce so they could enjoy a nice dinner at the Longhorn Steakhouse. While eating, with an assist from the police chief and restaurant owner, Sank Flake, Coleman feigned an urgent summon to fight a fire. He hastily left Nikki with no money resulting in her having to wash dishes to pay for the anniversary dinner. Eventually the scope of the April Fool’s anniversary pranks expanded to include children and friends with the pranks flying both ways. One morning after their anniversary they woke up to find that their pick-up truck was missing, later to be found on main street with a $5 for sale sign.
A healthy sense of humor was a pervasive aspect of her outlook, even in circumstances others may consider tragic. A multifamily road trip to Disneyland was seriously interrupted by a broken-beyond-repair vehicle in Palm Springs, California, stranding the families for days. Nikki, to the bewilderment of some fellow travelers, could not stop laughing and joking about the absurdity of their predicament. She did not see the efficacy of wasting a memorable event with unhelpful consternation.
She led a life filled with faith. She was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a few days after her eighteenth birthday. She devoted herself to studying the scriptures and frequently shared favorite scriptures and spiritual thoughts with her sister and children. She had many church callings and earnestly and conscientiously sought to magnify each one with her efforts. One of her final church assignments was to photograph ward members for the church directory. She took painstaking efforts to ensure every photograph captured the most flattering version of each member.
Patient tolerance of others was a trait she valued and endeavored to cultivate more fully within herself. Later in life she regretfully recognized that she had inadvertently withdrawn from her childhood acquaintances after her baptism at age eighteen. She recognized the fruitlessness of allowing her religious faith to interfere with her former associations and she thereafter strove to meaningfully reconnect with her childhood friends. Ultimately, her enduring tolerance demonstrated itself magnanimously as she unselfishly shared her husband Coleman with his long-time mistress, fishing.
Nikki made friends easily and fortuitous encounters quickly became relationships that continued for years. She would meet somebody, strike up a conversation, and within minutes they would become dear friends. If the new friend did not live in Snowflake they soon had an invitation to come visit Snowflake and stay with the Hoyts. Her life, particularly in the end, was consumed with difficult hospital stays and medical procedures. Despite Nikki’s discomfort during these stays, health caregivers frequently commented on her positive outlook and her tendency to express sincere and individualized gratitude for the services they rendered. Many invitations to these caregivers to come stay with the Hoyts in Snowflake were extended.
Nikki is survived by her devoted husband Coleman and children: Troy (Marla) Hoyt (Utah), Travis (Stacie) Hoyt (Idaho), Trina (Eric Waterman) Hoyt (California), Tyler (Margot) Hoyt (Utah), and Trevor (Shelly) Hoyt (Arizona) as well as her 22 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and sister Cinda Martin (Texas). She was preceded in death by her brother Dennis Rainey (Nevada) and granddaughter Amanda McCray.
Friends may visit with the family Friday, September 26, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Silver Creek Mortuary in Taylor, Arizona. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 27, at 10:00 a.m. at the R.V. “Mike” Ramsay Cemetery in Snowflake.
If you are not able to attend in person, below is the zoom link for you to view the graveside service:
Meeting ID: 961 5655 3419
Passcode: 103504
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