Obituaries for Jan. 13, 2012

Ryan Morrow

Ryan Morrow, 30, of Baker City, died Jan. 7, 2012, in Baker City.

Disposition will be by cremation. Services will be announced later.

There will be a candlelight vigil for Ryan starting at noon Friday at 1750 Broadway St. The vigil will continue all day. Those who wish can leave a written memento that will be kept in a lock box for Ryan’s daughter.

Ryan was born on Nov. 17, 1981, at Baker City to Mike Morrow and Valerie Byrne Morrow. He attended Powder Valley High School in North Powder.

He worked as a heavy equipment operator, truck driver, welder/fabricator and wildland firefighter.

His hobbies included hiking, skiing, fishing, golf, basketball, RC helicopters, music and watching Ducks games. He was a member of the Harvest Church.

Ryan was a wonderful father, son, brother and grandson, and his daughter, Zoe, was the love of his life. Ryan never knew a stranger, and he was quick to help anyone in need. He had a heart of gold. He was loved and will be missed by many. He lived his life to the fullest and had a love of the outdoors. His humor was his saving grace.

Ryan was preceded in death by his grandpa, Curtis.

He is survived by his daughter, Zoe, of Baker City; his mother, Valerie, of La Grande; his father, Mike, of Haines; his sisters, Erica of Cle Elum, Wash., and Tara of Pasco, Wash.; his grandmothers, Sandra of Baker City and Thelma of Haines; and his grandpa, Ralph, of Baker City.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ryan Morrow Memorial Fund through any branch of Sterling Savings Bank.

Edwin “Freeman” Cockram
 
Freeman Cockram passed away in Vancouver, Wash., on January 5, 2012.  He was born in Baker, Oregon on April 18, 1935.
 
Freeman was raised in Baker where he spent the majority of his free time on the family Angus Ranch. He graduated from Oregon State College where he met Shirley, his wife of 54 years. They had two children Ann (Rick) Giles, Vancouver, Wash., and Linda (Jeff) Sandberg, Newberg, Oregon.
 
Freeman left Baker in the mid 1960s and attended Wartburg Seminary in Iowa to become a Lutheran Pastor. He served churches in Castle Rock, Wash., and Vancouver.  After leaving the ministry he worked for US Bank as a trust officer and then opened his own metal fabrication business.
 
Freeman enjoyed backpacking in the Wallowa Mountains, skiing, traveling and spending time in Sunriver.  Freeman was very involved in various volunteer activities, especially at Messiah Lutheran Church.  
 
Freeman is survived by his wife, Shirley; his daughters, Ann Giles and Linda Sandberg; his brother, John (Tonya) Cockram; two grandchildren, Emily and Kevin Sandberg; an aunt, Bea Jordan, a number of nieces and nephews, and many who considered him a father, grandfather, mentor and friend.
 
A memorial service will be held in Vancouver at 7 p.m. on Monday, January 16, 2012 at Messiah Lutheran Church, 905 NW 94th St., Vancouver.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following organizations: Messiah Lutheran, The Ray Hickey Hospice House and The American Cancer Society.