Obituaries for August 26, 2009

‘Steve’ Uptegrove

Steven Andrew Uptegrove, 52, of Prairie City, died Aug. 20, 2009.

His memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Seventh Street Complex in John Day. There will be a private graveside service for family and friends at the Prairie City Cemetery at 11 a.m. Thursday. Visitations will be from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Driskill Memorial Chapel in John Day.

Steve was born on May 12, 1957, at Bend to Melvin and Ruby (Anderson) Uptegrove. He was a 1975 Bend High School graduate. He attended Central Oregon Community College at Bend for four winter terms, studying forest management.

Steve married Hope Harvey on July 12, 2008, at Prairie City. He had a long and distinguished career with the U.S. Forest Service. He had been a primary or secondary firefighter since 1975 with engine experience. He held several positions including a helitack crew member, an interagency hot shot crew member (Deschutes 1HC 1979), a division group supervisor, field observer, safety officer, Class C faller, incident commander Type 3, ground support unit leader and engine foreman.

Here are details of his career: mid 1970s to 1985, Mount Bachelor lift operator and ski patrolman; 1985 to 1990 firefighter Deschutes, FOA Rock Ranger District; 1986 Detail Umpqua National Forest, Tiller Ranger District AFMO; 1991 to 1995 Payette National Forest, Krassel Ranger District AFMO; 1996 Bridger Teton National Forest, Big Piney Ranger District, engine foreman; 1997 to 2000 Shoshone National Forest, Clarks Fork Ranger District AFMO; 2001 to 2006 Malheur National Forest, Prairie City Ranger District; 2004 temporary promotion Willamette National Forest, Detroit Ranger District; 2006 to the present lateral reassignment Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Burnt Powder Fire Zone, station lead and engine foreman.

 In 1990, Steve received an award for high quality/special uses program management. In 2000 he won an award for high quality/ extended service in support of fire management.

Survivors include his parents, Melvin and Ruby Uptegrove of Bend; his wife, Hope Uptegrove of Prairie City; son William Doyle; stepchildren, Jamie, Hayley, Savanah, Shannon, and Whitney; brother, Mike Uptegrove, and his wife, Marcie, of Othello, Wash.; sister, Linda Spittler, and her husband, Bob, of Bend; nephews, Adam and Rob; and nieces, Kailee, Erin and Heather.

Memorial contributions in support of Steve’s family may be made to Driskill Memorial Chapel at 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR, 97845.

Harry Williams

Harry L. Williams, 68, a longtime Baker City resident, died Aug. 22, 2009, after a nine-year battle with cancer.

There will be a celebration of Harry’s life at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Elkhorn Gallery, 1234 Second St. Minister Doug Edmonds will officiate.

The first child of Henry and Ellen Williams, Harry was born at The Dalles on July 27, 1941. The family moved often in his childhood because of his father’s work.

Harry attended more than a dozen schools growing up, eventually graduating from Marshfield High School at Coos Bay. He then joined the U.S. Navy and served a four-year tour of duty.

Most of his service was in the Far East: Hong Kong, Japan and off the coast of Vietnam.

After serving his country, Harry worked in heavy construction and had the good fortune to meet Tessa Thompson. They were happily married for 44 years and had two sons, Hank and Heath.

Harry’s many endeavors included working in ranching, as a restaurant owner, carpenter, and in construction. He worked at the Sheriff’s Office while attending Eastern Oregon State College (now Eastern Oregon University) at La Grande where he earned a bachelor’s degree.

For the last 21 years he and his wife operated the Elkhorn Athletic Club. Harry became an accomplished artist over the years and two years ago added an art gallery to the business where local artists display their work.

Harry was passionate about whatever he attempted: fitness, weight training, racquetball, art and hunting. He was an avid reader and loved to share what he had learned. His generosity knew no bounds as many will attest.

He was preceded in death by his brother, George; sister, Beth; and his parents.

Survivors include his wife, Tessa, and son, Hank, and his wife, Vickie, all of Baker City; son Heath and his wife, Sania, of Savannah, Ga.; sister, Dana Endicott, and her husband, Marvin, of Baker City; brother, Terry Williams, and his wife, Teri, of Boise; brother, Jerry, and his wife, Michelle, of Nacogdoches, Texas; four grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Church of Christ of La Grande, or to any local food bank through Gray’s West & Co., 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.

Jeremy Forsyth

Jeremy Ray Forsyth, 38, of Baker City, died Aug. 16, 2009, at his home.

The date and time of a service celebrating his life will be announced later. Gray’s West & Co. is in charge of arrangements.

Jeremy was born on Oct. 11, 1970, at Baker City, where he spent most of his life. 

“It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to someone who left us much too soon,” his family members said. The cause of death is unknown at this time.

Since his passing, family members say they have received much love and support from so many different people. It is clear that Jeremy was well-liked by everyone who knew him. They expressed appreciation for the thoughts and prayers they have received.

Anyone who knew Jeremy knows that, though life was always a struggle for him, the love in his heart knew no limits, family members said, adding,“We pray that he has finally found peace.”

Survivors include his mother, Billie; brothers, Bob and Tommy; sister, Sherry; nieces, Crystal, Sarah and Naomi; nephews, Robert and Lane; 3-year-old daughter, Cheyenne Rain, and her mother, Dustine.

Paul Stoner

Paul Hiram Stoner, of Vancouver, Wash., a former longtime Baker City resident, died Aug. 12, 2009.

His funeral was Aug. 15. Vancouver Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements.

Paul was born to William and Augusta Kinney Stoner in Canyon County, Idaho. He graduated from the College of Idaho at Caldwell, Idaho, and continued his educated at Oregon Health & Sciences University in Portland. He was a medical technologist at St. Elizabeth Health Services in Baker City for many years.

Paul married Mary Bartshe in 1940 and they were married for 38 years before Mary’s death. Paul later married Elaine Haugen and that marriage lasted for 30 years until Paul’s death.

Survivors include his wife, Elaine Stoner of Vancouver, Wash.; children and their spouses, John and Ruth Stoner of Canon City, Colo., Mary and Lance Wald of Tucson, Ariz., Karl and Alice Stoner of Eugene and Beth Hedrick of Springfield; stepchildren, Cynthia Haugen of Vancouver, Wash., and Dale Haugen and his wife, Michele, of Seattle, Wash.; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the College of Idaho or a charity of one’s choice.