Keith Condit
Thomas Parlin
Johnathon Prince
Ellis Strong
Keith Condit
(Sept. 26, 1948 - Oct. 12, 2008)
Keith A. Condit lifelong resident of Grants Pass, Ore., passed away Oct. 12, 2008, at his sister’s home after a short illness.
Keith was born Sept. 26, 1948 in Grants Pass, Ore., to Opal Lee and Keith Elliot Condit. He attended Redwood Elementary School, South Jr. High and Grants Pass High School.
After graduation from high school in 1967, Keith joined the Navy and served during the Vietnam War.
Upon returning to Grants Pass, Keith was a timber faller with his Dad for 8-10 years. After trying different jobs, Keith became a professional gambler, enjoying the challenge and the fast pace of the game.
Keith never married or had children, but his life was filled with life long friends and family. A talk with Keith left everyone feeling better about themselves and life. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Keith accepted his coming death the same way he faced life; with grace, dignity and humor. He was more worried about the loved ones in his life and how they were going to handle the doctor’s news than about himself.
Keith was preceded in death by his grandparents and his mother and father, Opal Lee and Keith Elliot Condit.
Keith is survived by an older sister Golda Preslar and husband Steve of Cambridge, Idaho, younger sister Janice Ransom and husband Don of Ogden, Utah; niece Tina Snider; nephews Scott Jones, Dylan Ransom and Mark Ransom; numerous cousins and friends.
At Keith’s wishes he was cremated and a memorial celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
Those who would like to make a memorial donation in memory of Keith may do so to the Free Wheelchair Mission through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.
Thomas Parlin
(Oct. 7, 1928 - Oct. 18, 2008)
Thomas Charles Parlin, 80, of Baker City passed away Oct. 18, 2008, at St. Elizabeth Health Services after a long fought battle with cancer.
There will be a memorial service at 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 24, at the Baker Elk’s Lodge with a military service and inurnment at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception at Baker Elks Lodge following the service.
Tom was born Oct. 7, 1928, in Chicago, Ill., to Stuart and Helen Parlin.
The family moved to Koontz Lake, Ind., where he grew up on the family farm. He graduated from Grover Town High School in Grover Town, Ind., and shortly afterward enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.
He married Ruth Williams on New Years Day, 1951, while on leave from the Marine Corps. She preceded him in death on Feb. 29 of this year.
Tom attended numerous schools and training, including the University of Maryland. He was assigned to the admiral’s flag ship where he spent many months as an admiral’s aid during his sea duty. He was known as an expert marksman, and shot on the Marine Corps Rifle Team.
He spent many months on overseas tours. His final years in the Marine Corps were spent with I Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines in the Korean War campaign, where he was awarded the Purple Heart twice, and was severely wounded in battle. After extensive hospitalization, he was able to return to active duty.
After the Korean War, he left the Marines as a Staff Sergeant for civilian life, moved to Oregon, and joined the Oregon National Guard, retiring after a total of 30 years as a 1st Sergeant.
He also worked for the City of Baker City as a building inspector, retiring in February, 1993.
During his retirement years he enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his family. He and his wife of 57 years enjoyed traveling. Tom was involved in the planning of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines annual reunions.
He celebrated his 80th birthday on Oct. 7 with his children and grandchildren. Because he knew time was short, this was a very special occasion.
Tom is survived by his children: Jennifer Holden and her husband Rick of Baker City, Pamela Comstock and her husband Dave of La Grande, Thomas Parlin and his wife Julie of Baker City; grandchildren: David G. Comstock of Pendleton, Shane Holden of Baker City, Casey Holden and his wife Kirsten of Redmond, Thomas K. Parlin of Redmond, Stephanie Parlin of Baker City; great-grandson Seth Holden of Redmond; sister Ellen Town of Vale, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Peggy and Dick Bope of Hamlet, Ind.; numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth, parents Stuart and Helen Parlin.
Memorial contributions can be made to Korean War Veteran’s Scholarship Fund, Mountain States Tumor Institute, St. Elizabeth Health Services, or a charity of one‚s choice in care of Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, Ore. 97814.
Johnathon Prince
(Feb. 20, 1989 - Oct. 14, 2008)
Johnathon Raymond "Bubbas" Prince, 19, passed away Oct. 14, 2008, in Baker City, Ore. A Celebration of Johnathon’s Life will be held on Friday, Oct. 24, 2008, 3 p.m. at the Baker Christian Church, 675 Hwy 7. Bob Whiteman, who once served as our son’s Youth Pastor and a dear family friend will be officiating. Friends are invited to join the family following the service for a potluck reception to be held at the Eagles Club, 2935 H Street.
Johnathon wrote his music and I, his mother, wrote in journals stories of memories or simply meaningful quotes that either gave inspiration to myself or something to share with family and friends. But most of all, with my son, Johnathon. Gathering our strength and courage, John and I have sat with various newspaper obituaries hoping to get inspiration on what information we’re supposed to write and getting it all without leaving anything out. Writing in the 3rd person about my son’s life wasn’t working for me and so, as I know he would’ve wanted, I could feel Johnathon saying, “Mama, you write it.”
Franklin Andrew “John” Prince, a Marine, stationed at Mare Island, Vallejo, Calif., and Candis Ann (Pitt-Spencer) Prince (Navy brat), whose Dad was in the Navy, also lived on Mare Island, met and married in 1987. Feb. 20, 1989, at 9:55 a.m., our son, Johnathon Raymond Prince came into this world. Head full of hair and so quiet, good-natured, his Grandma Cathy would say. One month later, Johnathon’s Grandma, Grandpa and Auntie Amber settled in Halfway, Ore., after Grandpa retired from the Navy. Wanting to share our son with John’s family, we moved to Oklahoma, and on April 13, 1990, Johnathon’s brother and new best friend, Christopher Allen, was born.
Missing my family, the unbearable hot, humid weather and the threat of tornadoes drove us west to Oregon in 1991. We lived a short time in Halfway and Haines before settling in Baker City. Johnathon began making friends from kindergarten at North Baker to South Baker, Middle School and then Baker High School where he was a proud graduate of the Class of 2007. During his sophomore and junior year he won the “Best 4X4” with the white, 1984 Chevy truck that John bought for $200 just 2 days before his accident in 2000. Instead of getting rid of it, the truck became a project as Johnathon, his Dad and brother Chris began restoring it. Being of sentimental value to John and in honoring his sons memory, he has decided to modify the truck by making it handicap accessible to drive as he has had it before, but this time along with the hand controls it will also be equipped with the wheelchair lift hoist permanently installed in the bed. It will give Johnathon's Dad the freedom to load up into that big, Chevy beast unassisted and take off.
Johnathon gave sports a try beginning with t-ball, minor and major baseball and soccer, but his real passion was when he discovered his love for music and took pride in teaching himself how to play the guitar. He and a couple of friends started up a band, wrote their own music such as “True To Your Roots” and “The American Dream” just to name a few. They proudly performed at the Baker High School Funfest and Talent Show. It's no secret that AC/DC was his all-time favorite band.
Johnathon was a descendent of The Confederated tribes of Warm Springs. He always had a desire to know his heritage and about his indian ancestors.
Most knew Johnathon for his tough, cool, bad-boy reputation, but those that knew him well knew he really was a softie, especially when it came to saving kittens that were either left orphaned by neglect or the death of their mothers. His black and white, mustache kitty, "Goofiness", who I believe attended a party or two in our basement, Black kitty, Bella, who is now with her daddy in heaven and last but not least is "Ditten-Rocky-EB-Little Sweetie." In July 2007, she was found by Johnathon just outside of Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home in Halfway, just a few days old, he brought her home for me to take care of and so John and I are Grandparents to the two most spoiled cats.
You are, and forever will be deeply missed by all you have touched in your young life with your charming smile and warm brown eyes. Words written at your candlelight vigil were that of your true friendship, laughter, craziness, uniqueness, your music.
Son, at times hearing your name brings tears to our eyes, but at the same time, brings sweet music to our hearts. Bubbas, you have and always will be: young, wild and free. Fashza, Mam, Bug, Taz, Honey, Frannie, M.J., Goofiness, Ditten and even the fish will miss the loudness of your guitar, singing and music, but we take comfort in knowing we have our own guardian angel to watch over us. We love you.
Johnathon is survived by his parents, John and Candis Prince, brother Christopher; Grandparents Ray and Cathy Spencer of Halfway; Auntie Amber, Uncle Tim and very adored, 5-year old Cousin Savannah Baskett of Payette, Ida.; Great Grandmother Donna Baugh of Okla.; Great-Aunt and Uncle, Connie and Royce McDonald of Halfway; Great Uncle, Lee Caldwell of Otis, Ore.; Second cousins Chrissy, Michelle, Thomas and was closest to his Second cousin, Bryan and September Caldwell, their son, Peter and an expected son Will, due to arrive the 23rd of 29 Palms, Calif.; Grandfather, Louis Pitt, Jr., of Warm Springs, Ore.; Uncle Pi-ta Pitt, of Portland, Ore.; Aunt Pah-tu Pitt, of Portland, Ore.; Grandfather, Bob Prince, of Lahoma, Okla.; Aunt Stephanie Metcalfe of Enid, Okla.; Uncle Steve & Shelly Prince of Enid, Okla.; Auntie Teresa Haney and Cousin, Jesse of Edmond, Okla.; Uncle James Prince and Tambra of Liberty Hill, Tex.; Aunt Stormy Cover of Enid, Okla.; Uncle Tony Cypret of Enid, Okla.; Great Uncle James "Uncle J.W." Cowgill and wife, Patsy of Dunn, NC; Best friend, Edward “Brother Ross” Butler in Colorado.
Johnathon has been welcomed with "Arms Wide Open" from those who preceded him in death by Great Grandparents, Jack and Bernice "Bunny" English of Halfway, Ore.; Great Grandparents, Ray and Verle Spencer, of Canby, Ore.; Louis and Elizabeth of Warm Springs, Ore.; Grandmother, E‚Lois Joan Prince of Waukomis, Okla.; Uncle Blaine Cypret of Okla.; Great Uncle, Johnnie R. English of La Grande, Ore.
Those who would like to make a memorial donation in memory of Johnathon may do so to defray the funeral expenses through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.
Ellis Strong
(March 29, 1911 - Oct. 19, 2008)
Ellis M. “Joe” Strong, 97, of Baker City died Oct. 19, 2008, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
A funeral service was held at 1 p.m. on Wed., Oct. 22, at Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel. Pastor Dave Deputy of Calvary Baptist Church officiated.
Joe was born March 29, 1911, in Pollock, Idaho, to James T. and Maude R. (Irvin) Strong. He attended Pinehurst School in Idaho until he was old enough to start working. He served four years in the U.S. Army where he achieved the rank of Tec Sergeant. Joe retired in 1974 as a groundskeeper for the Umatilla Army Depot.
On April 26, 1966, Joe married Dorothy Mattox in Boise, Idaho.
Joe enjoyed going to the mountains, hunting, fishing and mining for gold. He was a great marksman and fisherman. He also enjoyed family dinners and get-togethers.
He was on the Advisory council for Senior Services, a member of the VFW, The Disabled American Veterans, and a past member of the Moose Lodge.
Joe is survived by his wife Dorothy Strong of Baker City.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a son and all of his siblings.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Baker County Seniors Inc. in care of Gray’s West & Co., 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, Ore. 97814.
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