April 11, 2003 – March 14, 2023
Fernando “Nano” Allen Giffen-Vallejo, 19, of Creswell, Ore. passed away tragically on March 14, 2023 in Eugene. Nano was born on April 11, 2003 to Victor Vallejo and Quila Giffen in Bend, Ore. He graduated from Al Kennedy High School in Cottage Grove in June 2022.
One of Nano’s biggest highlights and fondest memories was being able to play high school football with his older brother, Erick, for a whole year.
Though Nano didn’t like to play favorites, his favorite teacher was Matt from Al Kennedy. Nano started his working experience as a wildland firefighter for Douglas County. Shortly after, he began working for Fox Lumber as a crew member and then Weyerhaeuser as a forklift operator.
Nano loved duck hunting and his passion was apparent to anyone who visited his home. With this deep passion, mixed with a love for cooking his family would eat duck for days. The duck would be prepared any number of ways: barbequed, broiled, baked, smoked, stuffed, or sauteed. This passion also spread to fishing. Nano enjoyed football, wrestling, skateboarding, snowboarding, hiking and art.
Nano is survived by his mother, Quila Giffen of Cottage Grove; brother Victor Giffen of Creswell, brother Erick Giffen of Cottage Grove, brother Martin Giffen of Roseburg; grandmother by love Melba Kokko of Creswell, grandmother Marie Jackson of Cottage Grove, and grandmother Debra Meskill of Cottage Grove. Nano is preceded in death by his father Victor Vallejo; grandfather Buck Giffen, grandfather by love Don Kokko, and grandfather Dan Jackson.
The family invites the community to attend a Celebration of Life that will be held at Al Kennedy Alternative High School in Cottage Grove on March 25 at 2 p.m.
Arrangements by Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel and Crematorium.
