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Larry Whitecotton
Larry Whitecotton, 67, a life-time resident of the Columbia Gorge area, passed away Jan. 11, 2007, at Hawks Ridge Assisted Living. A memorial gathering will be held in the summer of 2007.
Larry was born March 3, 1939, in Hood River, Ore., to Manford and Blanche (Williams) Whitecotton. He grew up near Pine Grove and attended school here in Hood River. In 1965 Larry married
Georgia Ruth Lorranine Engle.
Larry worked for years at the Cascade Locks Lumber Mill and later at Diamond Fruit. He enjoyed the great outdoors; hunting, fishing, camping and was a lover of all wildlife. Larry liked to draw and carve wood. He filled the role of grandpa for several kids here in town if not by blood, by love. Larry was a member of the Hood River Eagles Lodge.
Larry is survived by sons D. Phillip Whitecotton of Sedro-Woolley, Wash., Charles Whitecotton of Hood River, Ore., and Edward Whitecotton of Hood River; daughters Rebecca 'Becky' Bowlin of Hood River and Mary Ekstrom of Shreveport, La.; sisters Mary Lee Meech of Springfield, Ore., Lavella Blair of Alberta, Canada, and Lorretta Lavoie of The Dalles, Ore.; several nieces, nephews and other family. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; wife, Georgia; daughter, Teresa; and two grandchildren, Michael and Contessa.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; (541) 386-1000.
Dorothy Benjamin
Dorothy Ann Re Benjamin, 85, passed away Jan. 11, 2007, at her home in Hood River.
A Celebration of Dorothy's life will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 19, at Anderson's Tribute Center with a reception to follow. Private interment at Willamette National cemetery will follow.
Dorothy was born on July 19, 1921, in The Dalles, Ore., to Joe and Martha (Fosnot) Re. She grew up in The Dalles, attended school there and after graduating high school during World War II she worked for the railroad. Dorothy also worked for Pacific Bell Telephone Company, Stadelman Fruit, The Dalles City Hall and Wasco County Court House as deputy clerk. She graduated from beauty school in 1970.
On Aug. 3, 1941, she married
Woodrow 'Buck' Benjamin. She and Buck moved to Hood River in 1970 where she enjoyed her home, family and golf.
Dorothy is survived by her husband of over 65 years, Buck, at their Hood River home; daughter; Sally Neal, of Hood River; two grandchildren, James Neal and Michelle Neal Payne; and four great-grandchildren: Fitzpatrick Kennedy, Savanna Kennedy, Garth Neal and Kailey Neal. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Carol Benjamin; and brothers, John Re and Emilo Re.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; (541) 386-1000.
Will Ward
Will Ward, former resident of Hood River, Ore., with his family surrounding him, died peacefully on Jan. 11, 2007, at the age of 80, in the home he lovingly built. His death was the direct result of complications from Parkinson's disease.
He was born in Santa Rita, N.M., to Verna and Zelma Ward who both preceded him in death, as did as his older brother, Sherman.
Will moved to Medford, Ore., in 1945 with his family and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Upon his return, he married
Jenny Wieskamp, and they were devoted to each other for more than 57 years. Will joined Pacific Power and Light as a lineman. His career with PP&L spanned 37 years with advancements taking him from Medford to Portland (1969), Toppenish, Wash. (1971), Hood River (1972) and Casper, Wyo. (1973). He retired as the district line superintendent in 1983.
Following his retirement, Will and Jenny moved to Salem where he was able to pursue his real passions: enjoying his family, friends, woodworking, hunting, gardening and life.
Will contributed greatly to the growth of Battle Creek Little League - not only as a board member but also by freely giving his time and expertise to build concession stands and work on the fields. In recognition of his efforts, he received the nickname 'Grandpa, ' and had the first field at Friend's Church named in his honor.
You could always find Will and Jenny in the stands or on lawn chairs, cheering on their grandsons as they played baseball, basketball and football. A devoted fan, he followed the Ward boys beginning with T-Ball and continuing through Sprague High School and Linfield College sporting events.
Whatever needed to be done, no matter how large or small, Will was always the first to volunteer and asked only in return for good conversation, a warm cup of coffee and a cookie.
Parkinson's disease slowed him during the past few years, but it did not deter his sense of humor or his involvement with his family, friends and community. His family thanks all those who helped and welcomed Will into their lives, especially as his condition worsened.
Will is survived by his wife, Jenny; his children, Kathleen and husband, Glenn of Tucson, Ariz., Michael of Tigard, Curtis of Salem and Steve and wife, Annette (Wells) of Salem. He has 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters Lorene of Tucumcari, N.M., Trudy and Madeline of Portland, and Norma of Medford.
A celebration honoring Will's life was held Tuesday, Jan. 16, at City View Funeral Home. Private interment will be at Eagle Point National cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name maybe made to the Parkinson Center of Oregon at OHSU (www.ohsu.edu/pco) or Willamette Valley Hospice (www.wvh.org).
Beatrice Laney
Beatrice Laney, affectionately known as 'Bea, ' passed away with family by her side on Jan. 11, 2007, in Hood River, Ore., at the age of 90.
Services to honor Beatrice will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at Anderson's Tribute Center with a reception to follow. Viewing hours are on Friday from 3-6 p.m. and Saturday from 8-10:30 a.m. at Anderson's. Private interment will follow at Pine Grove cemetery.
Bea was born in Joplin, Mo., to Orville and Nica Gertrude (Lane) McClintick. She traveled throughout Missouri with her family on the weekends while her dad played old time country music. Bea met Lewis Mitchell, 'Mitch, ' in Missouri and they wed at Cassville, Mo., on Sept. 17, 1932, and made their home in Joplin until 1942.
In November 1942 Bea and Mitch moved to Hood River, Ore., where they lived and worked for many years at Laraway Orchards. Bea worked various jobs, including working in local packing houses, as a store clerk at Montgomery Ward and as a housekeeper throughout the valley.
Her fondest memories were of running the general store at Pine Hollow Reservoir where her grandchildren enjoyed coming to visit. In later years Mitch and Bea owned and operated a service station on Cascade Street until retirement.
Beatrice enjoyed the simpler things in life and was a 'grand lady' - she loved being around her grandchildren, greats and great-great-grandchildren. Bea liked to watch the old western-style movies while she crocheted. She enjoyed reading, especially historical books, and traveling around the United States with her son in his truck.
Beatrice is survived and will be greatly missed by her sons, Gary Laney and Loren and his wife, Barbara Laney; grandchildren, Colletta and husband Thomas Justice, Lynetta Dunbar, Gary and wife Katie Laney, Diane and husband Scott Wells, Cheryl and husband Brad DeHart, Aaron Laney, Randy Paasch, and Marsha and husband Leon Kidwell; 14 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband; sons, Lewis Mitchell Laney Jr. and Jackie Loren Laney; daughter, Lucy Darlene Paasch; grandchildren, Jeanetta Laney and Michael Rash; brothers, Jack McClintick and Robert McClintick; and sister, Betty Moore.
Memorials be made in memory of Beatrice to Hospice of the Gorge in care of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; (541) 386-1000.
Dorothy Crisler
Dorothy Mae Crisler passed away May 15, 2010, at the Hood River Care Center. Dorothy was born Nov. 29, 1937, at Pomeroy, Wash., to Arthur L. and Anna H. (Dietzman) Russell.
Dorothy moved with her family at a young age to California and grew up in Santa Rosa. She attended school in the area and Santa Rosa High School.
Dorothy married
Frank Taylor and they had four children: Teri, Randy, Brenda and Robby, who passed as a baby. Dorothy and Frank divorced and she and the kids moved to Porterville, Calif., where they lived until 1974 when they moved to Odell, Ore.
Dorothy married
Truman Crisler and they called Odell home. They were active in the Hood River Eagles Club where they spent a lot of time dancing, picnicking and working on fundraisers.
She worked at Duckwall-Pooley, Heights Pharmacy and Ben Franklin and retired from Hi-School Pharmacy.
In her retirement Dorothy was very active in the Hood River Adult Center, volunteering in numerous capacities, and especially enjoyed decorating for every season. She was a collector of friends and being around people was her greatest passion.
Dorothy also enjoyed craft work and would enter her creations in the Hood River County Fair; she loved family gatherings and taking pictures. She was also an avid collector of salt and pepper shakers and has more than 400 sets.
Dorothy is survived and will be dearly missed by her three children, Teri and Terry Wilson, of Porterville, Calif., Randy and Lori Taylor, of Bakersfield, Calif., and Brenda and Dale Whitaker, of Hood River, Ore.; five grandchildren: Rick, Christy, Kelly, Steven and Jackie; 12 great-grandchildren; brother, Sonny Russell; three sisters: Jean Taylor, Patti Jensen and Sarah Willert; and numerous other distant family and many, many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Anna; infant son, Robby; husband, Truman; brother Bobby and sister Mary.
A service to honor Dorothy is planned for 3 p.m. Friday, May 21, at Anderson's Tribute Center. A reception will follow at the Hood River Valley Adult Center.
Friends are invited for a time of visitation on Thursday, May 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Anderson's. Private interment will be at Pine Grove Butte cemetery. Memorials in Dorothy's name are encouraged and can be sent care of Anderson's.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; 541-386-1000.
Bettie Engle
Bettie Jeane Engle, born April 5, 1934, flew home to her Lord this past Sunday, June 13, 2010, at the age of 76 after a long illness. As a believer in Jesus Christ, Bettie held on to her faith until she went home Sunday.
Bettie is survived by her husband, Ron, her daughter, Mary Lou Mathis, brothers Ray and Bill Durham, and her very busy and lively grandchildren Bethany, Brandon and Tyler.
Bettie accompanies her beloved deceased family members as follows: brother James Edwards, sister Louise Edwards, mother Zelda Durham and Father 'Shorty' Durham.
Bettie graduated from Wy'east High School in 1952 and thought highly of her alma mater. After high school, Bettie took up several activities most notably including sewing, teaching preschool-age children and being a Nanny for her grandchildren whom she cared so deeply about.
In Bettie's memory, the family would like to ask that you pray to Christ for the many blessings he has bestowed upon us, and most especially, the blessing of Bettie Jeanne's presence and life.
A memorial service will be held at Anderson's Tribute Center on June 26 at 2 p.m., with a reception immediately following.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; 541-386-1000.
Joseph Fanger
Joseph Albert Fanger, the seventh of 11 children of Joe and Rose Fanger, of Condon, Ore., died May 14, 2010, at the Stroke Center in Vancouver, Wash. He suffered a massive stroke at his home near Lyle, Wash., on May 10, 2010.
Joe was born at home in Condon on Jan. 9, 1933. He went to school and worked in the Condon area for some time, but then moved to The Dalles where he worked for The Dalles Soda Works for a while and then for the postal service, running mail between The Dalles and Portland, and finally as a painter at The Dalles Dam.
Joe married
his first wife, Nancy Cook, with whom he had two children, Maryann and Joseph, which marriage ended in divorce.
During his more than 20 years' tenure as painter at The Dalles Dam, Joe met his second wife, Afton Robison. They were married
on April 1, 1989, and later moved to a home near Lyle, Wash.
Joe is survived by his wife, Afton, his two children, Maryann and Joseph, and by five siblings. He is also survived by Afton's three sons, Norman, Kenneth and Randall, whom he had adopted.
Joe chose to be cremated and a memorial of his life was celebrated at the Lyle Celebration Center in Lyle. A memorial Mass will be said on July 16 at 3:30 p.m. at St Mary's Catholic Church in Hood River, Ore., followed by interring of his ashes in the Catholic cemetery in Hood River.
Remembrances may be made to a charity of your choice in Joseph's name.
Maria Nelson
Maria Ellen Nelson 'Tehowash' passed away peacefully in her home in Stanfield, Ore., on Sept. 5, 2010, one day before her 55th birthday.
She was born on Sept. 6, 1955, in The Dalles, Ore., to Robert Nelson and Joan Crawford. She graduated from Lyle High School in Lyle, Wash.
After graduating high school she held many different jobs, including positions with Sprint Communications and Nendel's Hotel in Hood River, Ore., the U.S. Forest Service in Randle and Trout Lake, Wash., Duchesne, Utah, and the Columbia Gorge Scenic Area.
In 1988 she transferred to the Sierra National Forest in California as a district administrative officer. She met her lifelong husband there and they were married
in Lake Tahoe, Calif., in the summer of 1989.
In 1990 she and her husband obtained a dual-career transfer to the Willamette National Forest in Oregon where she was a district administrative officer. She performed budget analyst details to the Forest Service Regional Office in Portland, Ore. She then transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Portland, Ore., as a budget analyst.
In 1998 she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in business communications from Concordia University in Portland. She transferred to the Siuslaw National Forest in Corvallis, Ore., as the Forest Equal Employment Opportunity specialist. From there she took a job as a budget analyst with the State of Oregon Department of Human Services in Salem.
In 2008 she landed a job as a budget analyst with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at McNary Dam in Umatilla, Ore.
Maria enjoyed traveling with her husband and other family members. She especially enjoyed her trips to Hawaii and looked forward to snorkeling adventures. She also enjoyed racquetball, volleyball, windsurfing and golf. She was a diehard Seattle Seahawks fan and attended games annually.
In addition to Hawaii, Maria traveled to Alaska, the Southwest, Texas, Boston, Mass., Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mexico as well as many destinations in California, Oregon and Washington.
Her favorite holiday was Halloween. She loved to read and spent much of her spare time reading fantasy and science fiction. She also enjoyed playing Scrabble.
Maria lived a strong, productive life and provided support her family could count on.
She is survived by her husband of 21 years, Steve Garza. Other surviving family members include her mother, Joan Watlamet; sisters Mona Cree, Ramona Smartlowit, Victoria Nelson and Sandra Nelson; brothers Robert Nelson, Steve Nelson and Phillip Watlamet; and nieces and nephews Elizabeth Martin, Benjamin Rogers, Joseph Nelson, Crystal Star and Connie Joe Veloz.
She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Nelson; her stepfather, Roy Watlamet; brothers Stanley Smartlowit and James Umtuch; her baby sister, Roberta Nelson; and her grandmother, Cassie Tahkeal.
Dressing services were held in the Burns Mortuary of Pendleton, Ore., Wednesday, Sept. 8. Seven Drum and overnight services was held at the Nixyaawii Longhouse in Mission, Ore., Sept. 8. The funeral procession to the Agency cemetery took place Thursday, Sept. 9.
Gorham Babson
The life of S. Gorham Babson (Gorie) was an exceptional one by any measure. A gentle-hearted and kind man, he was loved and admired by everyone, and his five daughters celebrate his 98 years on this planet.
Gorham was born in Portland and grew up on his parents' apple and pear tree orchard in the Upper Hood River Valley. Mount Hood informed his love of nature and a spirit of place that remained with him. It was truly his playground, and he never tired of capturing it on camera.
Dr. Babson received his medical degree from the University of Oregon in 1936 and continued pediatric training at Columbia Presbyterian Babies Hospital in New York City and at Stanford Medical Center.
He was a popular pediatrician in Portland for 20 years, and his children enjoyed going on house calls with him all over the city, fighting as to who would carry his medical supplies, which they dubbed 'the measles bag.'
From 1961 until his retirement, Gorham worked at Doernbecher Hospital for Children, where he developed the Neonatal Intensive Care Center that he directed from 1968-77. His vast scholarship in the field of premature babies included co-authoring one of the first textbooks on high-risk pregnancy and the intensive care of the neonate.
A fond memory for his girls was dressing him up as Santa Claus and dispensing Christmas presents at Doernbecher for the children too ill to go home. He was a natural.
Gorham's 60 years of a wonderful marriage to Ruth Elizabeth Lambert was cut short by her death in 2000. He was also deeply saddened by the passing the same year of his granddaughter, Hillary Dobbin.
His family life is his legacy, and he will remain 'Pop-pops' to his 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Gorie-the-traveler, however, is how many people will remember him. There was no place he would not venture to and always quipped how he would rather be 'eaten by a crocodile' than die in bed. Travels to Africa, the Amazon and Afghanistan were some highlights shared by those lucky individuals.
We love you, Dad: Anne Anderson, Bonnie Hero, Sydney Blaine, Jane Babson, Barbara Babson. There will be no service; a private gathering will be held later.
Remembrances in his honor may be made to the Neonatal Intensive Care Center at Oregon Health & Science University.
