A celebration of life for former Sisters High student-athlete Dominic “Nick” Fouts, son of pro football Hall of Fame quarterback and Sisters resident Dan Fouts, is planned for today in Sisters.

Nick Fouts passed away Sunday in Portland at the age of 34 following a three-year battle with cancer.

Fouts, who until recently taught science in the Seattle area, graduated from Sisters High in 1996 after excelling for the Outlaws’ football, basketball and track and field teams. During his senior year at Sisters, he was a member of the Outlaws’ 1,600-meter relay squad that won the Class 3A state championship.

“He was a quiet, humble, really funny guy that had a great sense of loyalty,” said Sisters High basketball coach Rand Runco, who coached Fouts in both middle school and high school. “His group of high school friends, those are still his buddies.”

As a member of the Outlaws’ football team, Fouts played quarterback, the position at which his father starred both at the University of Oregon and with the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League.

Runco called Nick Fouts a leader.

“He was his own person, but never at the expense of anyone else,” added Runco, who said he stayed close with Fouts after he graduated from Sisters High. “He was part of that special group that started Sisters (High). Nick was a classy, fierce competitor, and a leader in everything he did.”

A celebration of Nick Fouts’ life is being held today at the Sisters High auditorium at 5 p.m. and will be followed by a reception at Aspen Lakes Lodge.

— Bulletin staff report