Obituaries for April 2, 2009

‘Sam’ Sampson

Francis Leslie “Sam” Sampson, 88, a longtime Baker City resident, died March 22, 2009, at Kirkland, Wash., with his daughters by his side.

There will be a celebration of his life at 10 a.m. April 25 at Gray’s West & Co., 1500 Dewey Ave. There will be a reception afterward at the family home.

Francis was born on Oct. 10, 1920, at Umatilla to Rose and Frank Sampson. He lived at Haines, Hermiston and Huntington and was a graduate of Huntington High School.

Francis served in the U.S. Air Force as a radio operator on the B-24 during World War II. After his discharge, he went to work for the Union Pacific Railroad where he worked as an agent until his retirement.

He married Kathryn Jacobs in 1950. In 1953 their twin daughters, Beverly and Shirley, were born.

He was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting and fishing. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and later with just his girls.

After his wife’s death in 1999, he again took up the sport of competition trapshooting, something he had enjoyed in the 1950s and ’60s when he was the Union Pacific Railroad agent at Wallowa. His trapshooting took him all over the Northwest as well as several trips to Reno, Nev.

He was quite competitive and often bested others many years his junior, his family members said. In all his travels, he made many friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn.

Survivors include his twin daughters, Bev Haas and Shirley Sampson of Kirkland Wash.; and nieces and nephew, Rose This, Laura Perkins and Roger Leslie and their families, all living in Washington.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Wallowa Rod and Gun Club through Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.

‘Bob’ Chancy

A.R. “Bob” Chancy, 86, of Baker City died March 31, 2009, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.

No service is planned at this time.

Mr. Chancy was born on June 29, 1922, at Coryell County, Texas, to Franklin and Sarah Chancy. As a young man he served for three years in the U.S. Army Air Force. Afterward, Bob was a painting contractor for 35 years. He loved to rope, trail ride and fish.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Irvin; sisters, Eunice and Alice; and son-in-law, Terry Barr.

Survivors include his wife, Lydia; daughter, Sandra Risley; grandson, Trace Barr, and his wife, Kelly; and four great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.

Fred Schreeck

Fred Schreeck, 88, of Haines, a lifelong Baker County resident, died March 26, 2009.

His funeral was Monday.

Fred enlisted in the U.S. Army in February of 1941 at the age of 21. He was honorably discharged in October 1945.

He proudly served in the 4th Armored Division and received the Bronze Star for meritorious service in action in the 25th Cavalry Reconnaissance. Fred served under Lt. Gen. Creighton Abrams and Gen. George S. Patton.

As a young man, Fred was a stunt motorcycle rider with Roland and Omar George. He also wrestled and boxed. He was an avid sportsman, enjoying hunting and fishing with his wife and family.

Fred worked in the family business, Schreeck’s Famous Ice Cream and Cold Storage before and after his service in the military. He also worked for the City of Baker for more than 20 years. He retired to his farm in the Baker Valley with Audrae, raising sheep and cattle.

As a grandfather, Fred delighted his grandchildren by listening to “Tradio” early in the morning and ending every meal with “mighty fine, mighty fine.”

Fred raised four children: his son, Fred Jr.; and daughters Sarah Susan, Sherry and Shelley.

A sudden onset of severe dementia changed Fred’s life in the last several years. He remained at home, cared for and loved by his wife.

Survivors include the love of his life, his wife of 63 years, Audrae; daughters, Sherry, and her husband, Abel Mendoza, and Shelley and her husband, Guy Hankins; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and his brother, Russell, and his wife, Ruby, of Florida.

He was preceded in death by his son, Fred Jr.; his mother and father, Emma and Fred Schreeck; and his sister, Augusta Biggs.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Salvation Army or Alzheimer’s Research through Gray’s West & Co., Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewy Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.