Obituaries for March 4, 2009

Lorne “Skippy” Loundree, 71, died on Feb. 25, 2009, at his home on Pine Creek, with his daughters at his side.

There will be a celebration of his life and potluck dinner at 1 p.m. Saturday at Wild Bill’s Restaurant and Lounge in Halfway.

Lorne Lee Loundree was born on Nov. 28, 1937, at Sandy to Glen and Frances Meinig Loundree. Lorne grew up in Sandy and graduated from Sandy High School. During his youth he worked at a local service station.

It was during that time that it was noted that whenever he was asked to go do something such as run an errand, he never walked, he always skipped. Thus the nickname “Skippy,” which stuck with him throughout his life.

In 1954 at the age of 17, Skippy joined the U.S. Coast Guard and traveled the world. He retired 20 years later.

Skippy then went to work for Boeing at Gresham, retiring in 1999.

Skippy loved the Halfway and Hells Canyon area. He made his permanent move to Pine Creek in 2003. Skippy enjoyed every day of his life. He had many friends who thought of him as family and he touched many people.

“We will miss his smile, his love for adventure and making people laugh. Skippy always had a positive attitude and it was contagious. If you knew Skippy, you loved him,” his family said.                                                                                                    

He was preceded in death by his mother, Frances, who died in 1986; and a nephew, Brad Loundree.

Survivors include his daughters, Leah, and her husband, Dana Osten, of Oregon City, Nina and her husband, Rob, of St. Helens, Kim Hammond of Dalton, Ga., and Rena Sanders of Ranger, Ga.; grandchildren, Darryl, Darren, Steven, Brittney and five more living in Georgia; six great-grandchildren; sister, Bev, and her husband, Grant McOmie of Salem and Phylliss and her husband, Ron Matz of Boring; and three nephews, Vince, Jeff and Darrell.

Memorial contributions to help defray funeral expenses may be made through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.