Obituaries for the day of September 24, 2009

Obituaries for the day of September 24, 2009

Gene G. Stockhoff

Island City

Gene Gaylord Stockhoff, 85, of Island City, died Sept. 21 at a local care center. A celebration of life will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Presbyterian Friendship Center. A full obituary will be available later. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center is in charge of arrangements.

Henry Bates

Formerly of La Grande

1925-2009

Henry Bates, 84, a former La Grande city councilor, died Sept. 17. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at the Mount Hope Cemetery at Baker City.

Henry was born May 25, 1925, to John and Hazel Bates in Baker. He was the oldest brother of siblings Glen, Carol (Young), Nancy (Fee) and Susan (Derreck).

He grew up in Baker, later moving to Huntington and graduated with the Huntington Class of 1943. The Baker Class of 1943 still welcomed him as one of their own, and he helped organize and attended many enjoyable reunions with this group.

After graduation, he began working for the Union Pacific Railroad. He worked for the railroad in various jobs for 43 years.

During WWII, he enlisted in the Navy and served in the South Pacific. He saw it all, from Alaska to Tahiti. While on a stop in Long Beach, Calif., he met Roberta Brixey. They were married Nov. 14, 1944.

Henry and Roberta started their married life in Huntington. In 1954 they moved to

La Grande, where they raised their children John, Alicia (Smith), Wayne, Joy (Morris) and Nancy. Henry and Roberta opened their home to foster children, serving as foster parents for 12 years, further extending their family. Henry also was very proud of his grandchildren and honorary grandchildren.

Henry was active in the community of La Grande, serving on the city council from 1973 to 1982. He was a member of the Youth Services Board, serving on the League of Oregon Cities and as a member of the PTA. He had belonged to the La Grande Methodist Church and the La Grande Christian Church.

After the death of his wife, Roberta, in 1997, he moved back to Baker City to be close to his family and friends. In April 2000, he married Ivolene Dunn. They enjoyed fishing together, watching football and going to yard sales. Ivolene preceded him in death.

Henry belonged to the Baker City Methodist Church and was a member of the American Legion where he had served as a chaplain. He was active with the Methodist Church Boy Scout program.

He spent his time finding yard sale treasures, building WWII model airplanes, reading, playing golf and fishing as much as possible. Henry was also known for his waffles. Those who knew Henry say he taught his family and honorary family to be loving, kind and to keep a caring attitude.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to any charity.

Everett L. Leach

Lostine

1935-2009

Everett Lee Leach, 73, of Lostine, died Sept. 13 at his home at Lostine River Ranch. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at Lostine River Ranch. A potluck will follow. Bollman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Everett was born Oct. 28, 1935, in Millersburg, Mich. He moved to Klamath Falls with his family in 1945. He was raised there and went to school there. He married his high school sweetheart, Pat, 55 years ago.

Everett was a building contractor in Klamath Falls until 1975 when he with his brother and a friend bought Hunters Lodge in Lakeview. His family moved there to run the business, and he also ran his contracting business there. He sold Hunters Lodge in 1985. In 1989, he bought The Pizza Emporium and the Out Post RV Park in Enterprise and moved his family to run the business. He sold the RV park in 1992 but still owned the building that now houses NY Richies. He purchased Daddy Dukes in Wallowa, which is now Plush West Steak House and Saloon.

In 1996, he moved to the Lostine River Ranch where he was the manager until he died.

Everett raced flat-bottom boats all over the Northwest and also raced stock cars in the 1960s. He and his family waterskied and pleasure-boated on Klamath Lake, and he managed a snow ski area between Klamath Falls and Medford for 15 years while his children were growing up.

He had belonged to the Elks Lodge for 42 years, joining in Klamath Falls and then going to Lakeview Lodge and then to Enterprise Lodge in 1988. He was Exalted Ruler in 1999-2000 and a trustee for many years.

In 1992, he was Chief White Tail of the Order of the Antelope associated with Hart Mountain Wildlife Refuge out of Lakeview and remained an avid member and supporter of the organization.

He had been a house builder and remodeler since 1955, building many homes in the Klamath Falls and Lakeview areas.

He loved to fish and hunt deer and elk and loved all animals. Since moving to Wallowa County, he owned an RV park, a restaurant, pizza parlor and a video store. He operated an excavating business until his death.

He is survived by his wife, Pat; daughter, Geniene Taylor; two sons, Rick Leach and Mitch Leach; two granddaughters and three grandsons; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; and a sister.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wallowa County Fairgrounds in care of Bollman Funeral Home.