Obituaries for the week of Sept. 5 to Sept. 9

Jay Gould

Jay E. (Gene-O) Gould, 63, died Wednesday, September 7, 2005, at the Portland Veterans Medical Center due to complications from surgery. His memorial service will be held Saturday, September 10, 2005, at 2:00 p.m. at Coles Funeral Home. Military rites will be accorded by Baker City Amvets Post 1874.

Gene was born November 10, 1941, in Los Angeles, California, to Stanley and Rena Gould. He attended a boys Catholic school during his youth until he entered the U.S. Army. He served his country for nine years.

He lived most of his life throughout Texas and Oklahoma. He married the love of his life, Doris Jo Williams, on December 31, 1963. Together they had four children. They moved to Baker City in 1992. After moving to Oregon, Gene went to work at Marvin Wood Products, where throughout the years, he made lots of friends.

He loved to bowl and played in league play at Baker Bowl for years. There he gained his nickname, "Gene, Gene, the bowling machine."

Gene was also known as a great softball player and a true jokester. Gene will always be remembered by all who knew him as a guy who loved to speak his mind, laugh, pull pranks, fish, bowl, and gamble, his other true love.

Gene is survived by his family, his daughter and son-in-law, Voncille and Gary Sanders of Baker City; his son and daughter-in-law, Herschel and Heather Gould of Hermiston; five grandchildren, Tyler and Christina Urman of Hermiston; Herschel Gould, Jr., of Hermiston; Crystal and Shawn Gonzales of Baker City; Tiffany Williams and Carl Bork of Baker City; three great-grandchildren, Jayden and Josie Hallett, and Jordyn Gonzales all of Baker City; sister, Helen Yates of Tennessee; three nieces, Debbie, Carol and Cheryl of Dallas, Texas; nephews, Butch and Mike of Texas; and lots of brothers and sisters-in-law.

He was preceded in death by his wife, two sons, two grandchildren, one brother, one sister and his parents.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Gene Gould Foundation 340 4th Street, Baker City, Oregon 97814.

‘Bill' Gardner Jr.

Chester William "Bill" Gardner Jr., 87, of Washougal, Wash., whose name was familiar in the logging enterprise throughout Baker County, died Aug. 22, 2005, at his home after an extended battle with cancer.

His graveside service was Aug. 30 at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor Ed Niswender of Calvary Baptist Church officiated. Military rites were accorded by the Baker Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, No. 3048.

Bill was born on May 9, 1918, at Baker City to Chester William Gardner Sr. and Cora Young Gardner. He was raised and educated at Baker City. After graduating, he logged with his uncles until World War II was declared. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving as a gunner. He served proudly for three years and then returned home to Baker City and the mountains he loved.

His working life then was dedicated to logging. Mining was another of his great interests, and he spent time mining whenever possible.

As a young boy he became fascinated with eagles. Learning about them created a love and respect that lasted his entire life. He knew where several eagle pairs nested in Baker County and faithfully visited the nests to check out the hatch.

Bill was an honest, hard-working man with a fearless spirit, great physical stamina and strength as well as being an optimist. His dedication to rugged interests proved those qualities.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Rita; an only brother, David; and all of his aunts and uncles.

Survivors include his son, Frank Gardner of Burns; sister-in-law, Lorraine Gardner of Baker City; and several cousins.

John Tonning

John O. Tonning, 88, of Baker City, died Aug. 21, 2005, at his home.

His memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Haines Cemetery.

John was born on July 20, 1917, at Kladesholmen, Sweden, to Karl and Bertha Tonning. He and his family arrived at Ellis Island, N.Y., in 1920.

He was proud to be an American and embraced the American dream. He graduated from Columbia University School of Engineering in 1939 and began a long and varied engineering career. During his career he worked for the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Anaconda Copper Mining and finally 22 years for Boeing Co. where he retired in 1985.

He was a 42-year-member of Meydenbauer Bay Yacht Club. Boating was his second love in life, and he and his wife of 64 years spent many years cruising the San Juan Islands.

His family was his first love in life. John was the loving husband of Helen and father of three daughters, Lynn, Gale and Diane. He recently moved to Baker City from Bellevue, Wash., where he had lived for 40 years at Tom O'Shanter.

"He will be greatly missed by us all," his family said.

Survivors include his wife, Helen of Baker City; daughters, Lynn Keener of Beverly Hills, Fla., Gale Drost of Burkeville, Texas, and Diane Florence of Baker City; six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Kenneth Sturgill

Kenneth William Sturgill, 86, a lifetime Baker County resident, died Sept. 3, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.

His memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 2120 Second St. Deacon Connie Boone will officiate. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. There will be a reception afterward at the family home.

Visitations will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Gray's West & Co., 1500 Dewey Ave.

Kenny was born on April 4, 1919, to Cecil and Jessie Sturgill at the old St. Elizabeth Hospital in Baker City. He was educated in the 5J school system, and was a 1937 Baker High School graduate. He served four years in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Harris, completing 13 invasions in the South Pacific during World War II.

A descendant of a wagon train pioneer family that settled in Baker County in 1868, Kenny was steeped in the philosophical spirit of "can do, make it do, do it over, or do without." Kenny spent his entire life just "doing it" for his family, his friends, his community and his country.

After returning home from the Navy, Kenny married Barbara Clabough. They raised two sons in Baker County.

The pioneering heritage of the Sturgill family served Kenny and Barbara well as they began their married life on the family farm in a three-room house with no electricity, no telephone and no indoor plumbing — just a well-worn path to an outside hand pump, and another to the outhouse. Starting at an early age, they instilled in their two sons the same pioneering "can-do" spirit and neighborly helpfulness.

When the boys were still quite young, Kenny took a job with Production Credit Association, where he worked for 28 years, and the family moved into a somewhat more modern house on the corner of Chestnut Street and Valley Avenue.

Later, in order to have room to accommodate 4-H animals, they moved to Cedar Street, which became the family home as long as he and Barbara were able to care for themselves. Since Barbara's death in June of 2004, Kenny had been living in elder care centers, most recently Meadowbrook Place.

Kenny was an active member in many aspects of the Baker County community, including the Baker County and Oregon Cattlemen's Association, which honored him in 1964 as Baker County Father of the Year and Oregon Father of the Year.

The honor was due in large part to his dedicated service in the Baker County 4-H and FFA programs, in which both his sons were involved for as many years as they were eligible. He willingly arose each day at 5 a.m. to drive his sons to the outskirts of town where their animals were kept to help feed, water and work them. He then returned home for breakfast before heading off to work.

He willingly spent endless Saturdays and several evenings a month instructing, coaching and mentoring dozens of youth, including his sons in raising show animals. His dedication was clearly evident in his scheduling vacations around 4-H Show and Sale Week so he could be there from dawn to all hours to lend a supportive hand and to do every chore connected with the annual Baker County event.

During his sons' youth, there wasn't a sports or extracurricular activity in which the boys were involved that Kenny, his wife, Barbara, his parents Grandpa and Grandma Sturgill, and his sister, Cecille, were not front and center to cheer and encourage all the youth to do their best.

Being involved in his sons' lives was very important to Kenny. He served as a dedicated and innovative Cub Scout master and was an active member of the PTA, where he was known to be a willing worker at special activities. He helped with the Youth Hunter Safety program and taught his sons how to handle a gun properly and then took them pheasant hunting on the family farms.

For many years, after spending the day at his regular job, Kenny would faithfully attend to the various night janitorial jobs he performed to supplement the family income. An important side bonus to these night jobs was having one or both boys accompany him, thereby teaching them honest work ethic and how to earn and manage money.

Kenny also served in the community of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church where he was a teacher, Sunday School superintendent and a lay reader. He served as the treasurer of the vestry for more than 20 years.

After his sons were grown and away from home, Kenny became involved in the Elks Lodge, the Lions Club and other organizations where he willingly assisted in any area where he was needed. He also was active in the Me n' You Dinner/Dance Club and his expertise in handling livestock was put to use in establishing the petting zoo at the Baker County Miners Jubilee.

Kenny's greatest contributions to people in Baker County might best be described as that of selfless humanitarian. He was a dedicated helpmate and caregiver to his wife, Barbara, and he was always there to lend a helping hand to friends and neighbors. He was a great role model to his own sons, numerous other youth, friends and neighbors. He was truly an inspiration to all who knew him.

Kenny was selected as Baker County Unlimited 2002 Legacy Man of the Year.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara; his parents, Cecil and Jessie Sturgill; and his sisters, Cecille Sturgill and Lettie Higgins.

Survivors include his two sons, R. Blair and his wife, Carolyn, and Robert W. and his wife, Peggy; grandchildren, Kirsten Sturgill Murphy, and her husband, Brian Murphy, Kathy Sturgill Carter and her husband, Sam Carter, Robert Sturgill Jr. and his wife, Debbie, Jenny Sturgill, Brett Sturgill and his wife, Hailey, Christopher Sturgill and his wife, Kira, and Michael Sturgill and his wife, Danielle; great-grandchildren, Joshua, Elizabeth Christine, Madison and Makaila; a sister, Fran Chaves; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice through Gray's West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.

Jack Davis

Jack Burton "Ripper" Davis, 54, of Hermiston, a former Baker City resident, died Aug. 31, 2005, at his home.

There will be a celebration of his life later. His wish was to be cremated and to have his cremains placed in Crater Lake.

Jack was born on March 6, 1951, at Silsbee, Texas, to Virgil Victor and Ruth Magdalene Park Davis. He was raised at Honey Island, Texas. He loved hunting and fishing in the piney woods of east Texas and especially at the hunting club at Hardin County.

His parents owned and operated barbecue restaurants, which Jack and his brother, Vic, and sister, Dee, worked at for many years until their parents divorced. Jack was an excellent barbecue cook and his food was enjoyed by all.

Jack left home at the age of 18 and worked in many of the oil fields in Texas as a driller helper.

He moved to Empire, Colo., and worked at the Henderson Molybdenum Mine above Empire where he met many of his lifelong friends and got the nickname Ripper.

He moved many times between Colorado where his father lived and back to Texas where his mother lived. He drove truck for Denver Dry Goods and had many memorable stories about those deliveries.

All who knew Jack loved his detailed storytelling about his life and thrill-seeking adventures. When Jack lived at Empire, he got his faithful dog, Lucifer, who traveled all over with him.

He was very loving and devoted to his family and took great pleasure in teasing and playing practical jokes on his nephews, Clint Davis, Walter Drake and Curtis Drake and his niece, Indi Kay Moore.

In 1976, Jack was visiting a friend at Chandler, Ariz., where he met Patricia Wollman. Jack and Pat spent a memorable summer at Lake Powell, Utah, where they worked and enjoyed boating, swimming and cliff diving.

They then moved to Idaho Springs, Colo. When Jack learned that his grandfather, Curtis Ivy Davis was marrying his childhood sweetheart "Dutch," Jack asked Pat to marry him. The four were married in a double-ring ceremony at Silsbee, Texas, in 1977.

Jack and C.I. celebrated many of their birthdays together. They were born 50 years apart on the same day in March.

Jack and Pat moved to Kountze, Texas, where Jack was working again in the oil fields. They moved to Weimer, Texas, then to Big Spring, Texas, where Pat was employed as a respiratory therapist.

In 1986, Pat encouraged Jack, who quit school in the eighth grade, to get his GED. He was very proud of this accomplishment.

He got his favorite guitar while they lived at Idaho Springs. Jack was an excellent songwriter with a rustic voice that never lost its Texas accent. He wrote about things he loved, places he'd been and also used his unique and wonderful imagination to write songs.

Jack and Pat moved to Mount Enterprise, Texas, where their son, Hank Curtis Davis, was born. The marriage ended in divorce in 1995.

Shortly thereafter, Jack became a Christian. He wrote and played more than 100 songs, including many Gospel songs. He spent many of the last years of his life telling others about the Lord.

Jack was most at peace outdoors away from the crowds and people. He was an accomplished marksman and fisherman.

He collected many guns and knives over the years and they were very precious to him. His hobbies included archery, blowguns, gardening, cribbage, backgammon, cooking, swimming and cliff jumping.

After their divorce, Pat and Hank moved to Baker City. Jack moved there within a year and worked as a truck driver in Baker City and later moved to Hermiston. He always remained close to his son, Hank.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and whose life he touched. His charm, wit, humor and songs and lyrics will long live on.

Survivors include his son, Hank Davis of Baker City; brothers, Vic Davis of Magnolia, Texas, and Bronson; a sister, Dee Drake of Silsbee, Texas; nephews, Clint Walter Drake and Curtis Drake, both of Silsbee, Texas; a niece, Indi Kay Moore, and her son, Douglas, both of Silsbee, Texas; his father, Virgil Davis, and stepmother, Doris, of Grand Junction, Colo.; and a stepsister, Pam, of Grand Junction, Colo.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Park Bylsma; his grandfather, Curtis Ivy Davis; his aunt, Edna Lindsey; his half-brother, Jerry Bowman, and his wife, Lorrie Bowman; his faithful dog, Lucifer; and his childhood friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice. Burns Mortuary of Hermiston was in charge of arrangements.

Charlie Emmons

Charlie Emmons, 98, a former Baker City resident, died Aug. 25, 2005, at the McAllen Medical Center in McAllen, Texas.

His family was planning a special memory 99th birthday party for Charlie on Sept. 9, and he was really looking forward to it. The family will play a video of his life at his memorial service and hope he will be pleased.

Charlie was born on Sept. 9, 1906, at Greenville, Texas. He married Erma McCormick in 1926, and they were married for 70 years. When they married she was 16 and he was 19. Erma was the love of Charlie's life.

Charlie worked at Dentlers Potato Chip Co. for 42 years. He also worked in the insurance business. At the age of 70 he learned a new profession and became a machinist. Charlie could build or fix anything.

After Charlie retired, he and Erma intended to travel, but after three years Erma lost her vision. Even with her blindness, Erma continued with her quilting passion. Charlie was her faithful companion and he threaded all her needles and helped her in every way. Charlie spent the next 25 years taking care of Erma and spending time with their family.

Charlie and Erma had a travel trailer and they saw most of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. Fifteen family members flew to Hawaii to honor "Nanny and Papaw," as they were affectionately known, and to help them celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary.

Erma and Charlie were the backbone of their family. They were the best support team any family could ever have. They were always there to help their children and grandchildren, and they were blessed to even have great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Nanny and Papaw were always known to be "long on love" for their family, and their love was unconditional.

"As a family, we have an empty space that can never be filled, but we feel so blessed to have had such a wonderful man in our lives. He will be missed every day. We will always love and miss you, Papaw. Thanks for the memories," his family members said.

Survivors include a sister, Azelle Turner; a daughter and her husband, Joyce and Paul Johnson of Mission, Texas; a daughter, Betty Green of Baker City; grandchildren, Loyd Henson and his wife, Faith, of Scottsdale, Ariz., who gave him three great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren; grandson, Jim Henson of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and three children and one great-grandchild; a granddaughter, Rocky Morris and her husband, Larry, of Baker City, who gave him three great-grandchildren, Dan and his wife, Amy, Jeff and his wife, Jodi, and Lori and her husband, Tim Halsey, and eight great-grandchildren: Anthony, Missy, Kayla, Kade, Jake, Justin, Drew and Morgan; Steve Jones and his wife, Marilyn, of Baker City, who added five great-grandchildren: Dyana, Michael, Leandra, Anna and Mika, and two great-great-grandchildren, Nathan and Audrey.

Charlie was preceded in death by his loving wife, Erma; sons-in-law, Loyd Henson and Clancy Green; great-granddaughter, Rachyl; and by his parents, siblings and many friends.

Carl Fleming

Carl Douglas Fleming, 40, of Newberg and Halfway, died Aug. 30, 2005, as the result of a motor vehicle accident near Halfway.

There will be a gathering of family and friends to celebrate Carl's life later this month. The date and time will be announced.

Carl was born on Feb. 9, 1965, at Santa Cruz, Calif., to Jimmy Dale and Carla Sue Caskey Fleming. He spent most of his growing up years at Santa Cruz, graduating from Monte Vista High School in 1983. He was a gifted athlete and after graduation he played baseball for a year in college.

Carl and Monique met in 1988 and were married on March 3, 1991. They had two children: James and Casey. Carl worked most of his life as an equipment operator.

In 1995, the family moved to Newberg. It was after the move to Newberg that Carl became an avid hunter and fisherman, with the help of his friend and mentor, Gary Star. These last several years, Carl had enjoyed coming to Halfway to hunt. He was in the process of moving to the Halfway area at the time of his death. He had just gained employment with the Pine Valley Ranch at Halfway.

Carl will always be remembered for his love of family, friends, the outdoors and his great sense of humor.

Survivors include his wife, Monique; sons James and Casey; and his sister, Katee.

He was preceded in death by his parents Jimmy, who died in 1997, and Carla, who died in May 2005; and a brother, Trevor, who died in 1986.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.

Stella Carter

Stella Carter, 99, of Baker City, died Sept. 1, 2005, at Meadowbrook Place.

Her funeral was at noon today at the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Pastor Tony Brandon officiated. Vault interment was at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Stella was born on May 13, 1906, at Mabton, Wash., to Pearle and Edson Sharpe. Her childhood years were spent with her three brothers and two sisters in the Horse-Heaven Hills. She attended college at Ellensburg, Wash., earning a teaching certificate.

She began her teaching career in the Horse-Heaven Hills area where she met Carl. Stella and Carl were married on Nov. 12, 1927, at Sunnyside, Wash. They were married for 59 years before Carl's death in 1986.

In 1948, the family moved to Baker County where they operated their farm on Sutton Creek until their retirement in 1970 when they moved to Baker City and lived on Foothill Drive.

During her life, Stella was a teacher, nurse, wonderful mother, grandmother and friend. For many years she enjoyed volunteering at the Seventh-day Adventist Church and St. Elizabeth Hospital.

Stella enjoyed writing and authored many articles of the Bickleton news for the Sunnyside Sun. She was the communication secretary for the Seventh-day Adventist Gleaner and the local newspapers for many years. She also wrote many poems for the enjoyment of her friends and family.

Survivors include her sister, Ruby Brown of Grandview, Wash.; children, Elvin and Mary Jean Carter of Baker City, Mary Jean and Grover Mann of Lincoln City, Dean and Rosie Carter of Nampa, Idaho, Ruby and Bill Hohensee of Gresham, Larry and Diana Carter of Salem and Pearle and Paul Stover of Nampa, Idaho; 22 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren; and 26 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Carl; children, Vernice Naught and Wilburn Carter; and great-grandsons, Joe and Danny Mann.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pathway Hospice through Gray's West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.