Obituaries for the week of May 29 to June 2, 2006

John Norton

John Patrick Norton, 88, a longtime Baker City resident, died May 31, 2006, at his home.

His memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Mr. Jack Pittman will officiate. Military rites will be accorded by members of the Oregon Army National Guard.

John was born on Dec. 13, 1917, to Almon and Lubelle Wilson Norton. He was one of five children. He lived at Cavalier, N.D., until his family moved to Bismarck. He attended North Dakota School of Forestry for two years before enlisting in the service. During World War II, he was a pharmacist's mate in the U.S. Navy, serving in the Pacific.

In 1944, John met his future wife, Mildred Ryan. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in December of 1945 and returned to college at Montana State University in Missoula where he received a bachelor of science degree in pharmacy in August of 1949.

After a long-distance romance of five years, John and Mildred were married on June 12, 1949, at Seattle, Wash. Later that summer, John and Mildred and his new step-daughter, Ardis, moved to Bozeman, Mont. John worked as pharmacist at Roecher Drug Co. for eight years.

John and his family moved to Boise in 1957, where he worked at Ballou-Latimer's, a large drug store. In November of 1961, John had the opportunity to purchase Muegge's Drug Store in Baker City.

He owned Norton's Pharmacy for 20 years, during which time he and his wife became active members of the community. They also traveled extensively, taking full advantage of cultural offerings in Europe, Canada, and across the United States.

Upon retiring in 1981, John devoted his time to the manufacturing and marketing of Ammonex, a glass cleaner he invented. He was also a relief pharmacist in the Baker City area for many years.

He continued to be active in the Baker City Rotary Club until the end of his life. Most recently, John dedicated his time as a SMART (Start Making a Reader Today) volunteer to the children at South Baker Elementary School.

John was an avid outdoorsman his whole life. He enjoyed bird hunting with his dogs. Fishing with his family and friends was also a favorite pastime. He especially enjoyed teaching his great-grandchildren to appreciate the sport.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred; his parents, Almon and Lubelle Norton; his sisters, Ailon and Mary Lou Norton; and his beloved great-grandson, Alex Stacey.

Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Ardis and Rodger Nash; his grandchildren and their spouses, Valerie and Steven Stacey, Steve and Leslie Nash, Shannon and Toby Johnson, and Ryan and Heidi Nash; 10 great-grandchildren, Jonathan Stacey, Aubrey, Morgan, and Kendall Nash, Hannah, Nash, and Lainey Johnson and Gabrielle, Victoria, and Sophia Nash; his sisters, Jean Norton and Juliette Scott; and nephews Michael, James, and Roger Scott.

Memorials may be made to the Baker City Rotary Club through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.

Tom Howe Jr.

Tom Howe Jr., 54, of Baker City, died May 25, 2006, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.

At his request, cremation was held.

He was born on April 12, 1952.

Survivors include his mother, Barbara Brown, and his father, Tom Howe Sr., both of Baker City; a sister, Toni, of Portland and Patty and Dave Chesterman of Brookings and Sherry and Dan Martin of Yamhill; the pool team and friends at the Idle Hour; 17 nieces and nephews; three great-nieces; and his buddy, "Chewy," his dog.

"There is a lot that could be said about Tom, so many different things from so many, many different people — too many to list," his family said. "So we will all have our own memories of him."

He will always be loved and missed. "Second star to the right and straight on until morning."

Memorial contributions may be made to Barbara Brown through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.

Hans Nordmark

The Rev. Hans Nordmark, 78, of Madras, died May 28, 2006, at a Bend hospital as a result of cancer.

His memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Zion Lutheran Church in Redmond.

Pastor Nordmark was well- known to members of First Lutheran Church in Baker City where he served as interim pastor for a period of time on two separate occasions.

All who knew him loved him for his caring concern for each individual and his sincere devotion to his Lord and the church.

Survivors include his wife, Kathy, of Madras; and his son, Chris, of Portland.

Memorial contributions may be made to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal, Box 71764, Chicago, IL, 60694-1764 or the American Cancer Society.

Andy Capps

James Andrew "Andy" Capps died May 18, 2006, in his sleep at his home in Boise. He was 37.

Andy was born Feb. 12, 1969, in Pendleton. He was raised in Twin Falls, Idaho, and attended Twin Falls High School. Following his schooling, he joined the U.S. Navy and was awarded an honorable discharge in 1988. After his stint in the Navy, Andy moved to Boise. He held several jobs in the Boise area, most recently as a landscaper.

Andy was a gifted and talented self-taught musician and played drums in several Boise area bands, including Splinter, Farm Days, Butterfly Train and the Falldowns. Andy also was the drummer on Built to Spill's 1994 album, "There's Nothing Wrong with Love."

He loved to be outside. He was a dedicated fan of football, especially the Denver Broncos. He was an avid reader and particularly interested and extremely knowledgeable about history. He loved animals and rescued several from Boise shelters.

Andy is survived by his parents, David and Clare Capps, of Millsap, Texas; his brothers, Jeff (Meg) Capps of Pendleton and Christopher Capps of Rhinebeck, New York; his sister, Emily (Rob) Estey of Harker Heights, Texas; his nephew Jack Estey and niece Ella Grace Estey, also of Harker Heights; his grandfather, Gordon Capps of Ontario; his uncle, Gary Capps, of Bend; several cousins; and Andy's many friends and his beloved dogs, Buster, Frank and Sparky.

Andy was preceded in death by his mother, Jeanne D. Riter, step dad Earl Riter, maternal grandparents and paternal grandmother.

Please join us for a remembrance of Andy's life at an informal memorial service to be held on Saturday, June 10, 2006 at 4 p.m. at the Connector Restaurant, 249 S. 16th Street, Boise.

Contributions in Andy's name may be made to the Idaho Humane Society, 4775 Dorman Street, Boise, Idaho 83705; or the Humane Society of your choice. Arrangements are by Summers Funeral Homes, Boise Chapel.