Obituaries for the day of September 26, 2008

Kimbrel, Swagger

Clyde L. Kimbrel, 87, of Oregon City and formerly of La Grande, died Sept. 23 in Oregon City. A memorial service is planned to take place at Oregon City Health Center. Portland Memorial is in charge of arrangements.

Clyde was born Nov. 8, 1920, to Clyde L. and Rebecca A. Kimbrel in Westwood, Calif. He was raised in Susanville, Calif., and served in the Navy during WWII. He married Betty Fye on Jan. 25, 1946, in Pocatello, Idaho.

A retired pharmacist, Clyde owned a Red Cross Drug Store for 25 years. He lived in La Grande and then moved to Portland in the mid-’90s to be closer to family.

Clyde was active in Masonic organizations.

Survivors include his son, Paul, of Lake Oswego, and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, in 1991.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.

Howard A. Swagger, 86, of Adams and formerly of Elgin, died Sept. 24 at Walla Walla General Hospital. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at the Milton Seventh-day Adventist Church. Pastor Roger Johnson of the Umapine Seventh-day Adventist Church will officiate. Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Howard was born July 22, 1922, to Ney Lloyd Swagger and Lela Evelyn (Howell) Swagger in Portland. He lived there until his October 1942 induction in the U.S. Army, where he served in the 56th Armored Infantry 12th Armored Division. Howard was the last remaining Hell Cat. He received many awards and medals for his service.

After returning home, he worked at The Oregonian in Portland and received his electrical engineering license and photography diploma. He then worked for Boise Cascade in

La Grande and Elgin until his health forced him and his family to move to Milton-Freewater, where he retired. He became an active member of the Elks Lodge and remained very involved in his community and church.

Survivors include his wife, Dolores Swagger of Adams; five children, Daniel Swagger of Beaverton, Dick Shaffer of Elgin, Jenny Reid of Athena, Elizabeth Rankin of Silverton and Patty Swagger of Death Valley, Calif.; stepchildren; sister, Rosemary Wilkinson of Texas; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by four siblings.

Memorial contributions may be made to Dolores Swagger in care of Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home, 902 S. Main St., Milton-Freewater 97862.