Obituaries for June 10, 2011

Wayne Phillips

Wayne Everett Phillips, 89, died May 15, 2011, at his ranch home in Keating Valley.

There will be a celebration of his life at 2 p.m. June 18 at the family ranch in Keating Valley.

Wayne was born on April 30, 1922, on the family ranch at Keating to Wayne Everett Phillips and Ara V. Chisum Phillips. His mother was from the old John S. Chisum Ranch outside of Roswell, N.M.

He spent his early years learning the cattle and sheep business. After graduating from Baker High School in 1939, he attended the New Mexico Military Institute at Roswell. He was there for two years and then graduated from the University of Oregon in 1943.

Wayne served in the U.S. Army as a machine gunner during World War II. He was in the first division that landed on Omaha Beach after traveling directly from the United States without staging in England. He was awarded the Purple Heart for severe wounds received from German artillery while attempting to cross the Rhine River on Nov. 19, 1944.

Wayne was discharged from the service in 1946 and then married Janice Jordan. They built a house on the ranch in 1949.

For the remainder of his life, he devoted himself to his family and ranching operation.

Wayne was always interested in people from all walks of life and took time to visit with friends and strangers alike, continually sharing warmth and ideas, his family said. To satisfy his banking interests, he served for many years on the Productions Credit Association board as did his grandfather, Fred. He later served on the Federal Reserve System of the Western District.

Wayne will be greatly missed by his family, and the many friends and acquaintances that he was so fond of, his family said.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Janice, of Keating Valley; son, Jeff; daughter-in-law, Paulette; grandson, Lee; granddaughter, Jocelyn, and her husband, Wes Price; and great-grandson, Ty.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Baker Heritage Museum through Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.