Obituaries for March 29, 2010

Kayla Petty

Kayla LaRae Petty, 17, of Baker City, died March 26, 2010, in a car accident.

Services will be at noon Friday, April 2, at the Nazarene Church, 1250 Hughes Lane. Pastor Matt Cook of Pleasant Valley Fellowship will officiate. Food and refreshments will follow at the church.

Kayla was born on Jan. 9, 1993, in Portland to Nola Reeder and Dennis Petty. Kayla spent her earlier years in Portland, and later moved to Baker City in the summer of 2000.

Kayla was known for her infectious smile, beautiful crimson hair, and bubbly personality. Like many teenage girls she loved shopping, hanging out with her friends, and listening to the latest music. Family was also of great importance to Kayla, and she always looked forward to family outings and spending time with her siblings. Kayla was a fun-loving, playful girl, finding joy in all that she did. In her spare time, she would often play dress up and take pictures, a “girly-girl!” A very compassionate young lady, she loved children and aspired to be a pediatrician. Kayla had a pure heart, she was kind to all, and never knew a stranger. Finding the good in everyone she encountered, Kayla had many friends.

Kayla is survived by her parents, Nola Reeder of Portland, and Dennis and Tricia Petty of Baker City; her siblings, Keisha Petty, Branden Petty, Cassidy Palmer, Jayde Palmer and Sydney Palmer; her grandparents, Glen Petty, Pat Browning, and Gary and Linda Wentworth, all of Baker City, and her grandmother, Hannah Copley of Portland; and many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. The world is less one smiling face — but heaven has her beautiful soul in its place.

Kayla was preceded in death by her grandmother, Dorothy Lou Petty; her grandfather, Jack Copley; and her uncle, Steve Petty.

The family asks that memorial contributions be made in Kayla’s name at Banner Bank, where a fund has been established to help the family with memorial expenses.

‘Bob’ Grindstaff

His funeral will be held Wednesday, March 31 at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Pastor Nate Neff  of  The Lighthouse United Pentecostal Church will officiate. Cremation will follow the services at Eastern Oregon Pioneer Crematory. Inurnment will be held at a later date at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Mr. Grindstaff was born March 25, 1921, in Dayville to Brady Butler and Inez (Lemmons) Grindstaff. He lived in Baker City until he joined the Navy in the fall of 1942. He served three years in the Navy during World War II, and after the war he moved to Klamath Falls where he went to OTI Body and Fender School.

Over the years he had many different jobs. He was a postal worker in Portland, and for many years he worked in road construction and  he also worked in lumber mills. Before joining the Navy he delivered mail from Baker City to Granite. Mr. Grindstaff was always repairing other people’s cars.

He married Lillie Ellen Kelley July 3, 1942, in Weiser, Idaho. They had two children, Rosalie J. and  Donald S.

Mr. Grindstaff loved to hunt and fish with his grandsons and loved to go to yard sales. He was always ready to help anyone with their different projects.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Lillie; his daughter, Rosalie Chance and her husband, Norm; his son, Donald S. Grindstaff and his wife, Veda; seven grandsons: Larry, Scott and Richard Chance, David and Kelley Grindstaff, and John and Marvin Kinney; two granddaughters, Jennifer and Cera Grindstaff; numerous great-grandkids; his sisters, Hester Dexter and Christine Hamby; his brother, Ted Samuelson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was prededed in death by his parents, Brady Grindstaff and Inez Samuelson; his sisters, Cora J. Coalwell and Millie Grindstaff; his grandparents, Cora and Harry Whitworth; and a great-granddaughter, Kayla Rose Chance.