‘Bob’ Chancy
John Patrick Chandler
Arlene Miller
Jack Nale
Francis Sampson
Fred B. Schreeck
Phyllis Smith
‘Bob’ Chancy
(June 29, 1922 - March 31, 2009)
A.R. “Bob” Chancy, 86, of Baker City died March 31, 2009, at St. Elizabeth
Health Services. No services are planned at this time.
Mr. Chancy was born in Coryell County, Texas, to Franklin and Sarah Chancy
on June 29, 1922. As a young man he served for three years in the Army Air
Force. Afterwards, Bob was a painting contractor for 35 years. He loved to
rope, trail ride and fish.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Irvin; sisters, Eunice
and Alice; and son-in-law, Terry Barr.
He is survived by his wife, Lydia; daughter, Sandra Risley; Grandson, Trace
Barr and wife Kelly; and four great grandchildren.
Cremation was done at Eastern Oregon Pioneer Crematory in Baker City.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of choice c/o Coles
Funeral Home, 1950 Place Street, Baker City, OR 97814.
John Patrick Chandler
(Sept. 30, 1938-March 30, 2009)
John Patrick (Pat) Chandler, 70, of Bainbridge Island, died at 9:05 a.m.,
March 30, 2009, at the University of Washington Hospital surrounded by
family and friends. Born Sept. 30, 1938, in Baker, Oregon, to Orville and
Bell Armstrong Chandler, Pat was the third of four siblings to grow up on
the family cattle ranch in the beautiful foothills of the Elkhorn Mountains
in eastern Oregon.
As a youngster, Pat shared in the arduous work of the ranch along with the
rest of the family and hunted, fished and skied when time allowed. He
attended Muddy Creek Grade School and graduated from North Powder High.
Growing up on the ranch instilled the work ethic, good character, uncommon
common sense and the dry sense of humor which served Pat well all of his
life. He attended and graduated from Oregon State University in Corvallis,
Oregon, in 1961 with a degree in Business.
In 1966, Pat married the love of his life, Patsy Samarron, whom he loved
from the moment they met until his last breath on earth. He worked for
Union Oil Company and State Farm Insurance in Portland and Salem, Ore., and
received an honorable discharge from the United States Marine Corps in 1968.
In 1974 the couple moved from Salem back to eastern Oregon where Pat managed
the family ranch and became a building contractor while Patsy worked in a
law office and furthered her education at Eastern Oregon University in
nearby La Grande.
In 1985, Pat and Patsy moved to Bainbridge Island where Pat established
himself as a first rate building contractor and Patsy continued her career
as a paralegal in Seattle. Pat designed, built and remodeled many homes
during his successful career including his and Patsy’s home and several
rentals on Bainbridge Island. In addition, he designed and built a new
ranch house on the family ranch property in Haines, Ore.,, which he then
managed as a vacation rental.
In 2003, Pat was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer and given only
months to live. Pat quickly retired from contracting and focused his
energies on enjoying his remaining time and learning about his disease and
possible alternative treatments. He enrolled in an experimental treatment
program at the University of Washington where he experienced fantastic
results enabling him to enroll in additional experimental programs. He
occasionally joked about being a “stunt double” for a lab rat, but his
success in beating prostate cancer was nothing short of spectacular. In 2007
Pat was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, which he managed for several
years, but to which he eventually succumbed.
Pat enjoyed life. He fished, hunted, golfed, windsurfed, skied and
backpacked. A wicked bridge and chess player, avid reader and great
conversationalist, Pat loved to socialize, had many true and faithful
friends and enjoyed a busy social life. He cared about his peers, the
workers, the heart and soul of our country. In his last six years he began
writing an e-mail column which evolved into an insightful blog gaining
readership with each passing year. In his blog, Pat commented on politics,
human interest and other observations of his active mind. Though
enthusiastically supporting the Democratic Party in the last election, he
was more a populist than a liberal.
Pat always lived within his means and was frugal with resources. He loved to
travel, but didn’t pay much attention to the make of car he drove, and was
typically seen with his beloved dog by his side whether at work or play.
Through six years of battling two terminal medical conditions, Pat never
became discouraged about his condition or the cards he was dealt. Instead,
he was thankful to have been born in his time and place, thankful for having
met and married Patsy and happy for any more time he could get in this
world. In sum, Pat was an unpretentious, excellent man.
Preceded in death by his parents and his brother Daniel, Pat is survived by
his wife, Patsy Chandler of Bainbridge Island; his sister Joan Fowler of
Hood River, Ore.; his sister Janet Hulegaard of Santa Clara, Calif., and
numerous devoted nieces and nephews along with their spouses and children.
Friends are invited to a celebration of Pat’s life at the Kiana Lodge, Sandy
Hook Road NE in Poulsbo, Wash., on Sunday, April 19th, 2009, from 11a.m. to
2 p.m. The family suggests memorials be made to Seattle Cancer Care
Alliance, P. O. Box 19023, Seattle, WA 98109-1023, in “Memory of John
Patrick Chandler.”
Arlene Miller
(Jan.10, 1929-April 3, 2009)
Arlene Miller died peacefully on Friday, April 3, surrounded by her family.
Arlene was born and raised in Halfway, Ore., the daughter of ranchers. She
married Forest Miller, also from Halfway, in 1948. Upon Forest’s graduation
from Oregon State University, they made their home in Hillsboro where they
raised three children; Scott, Macie and Marty.
Their house was a popular gathering place for their children’s friends and
many sought her out for her sage advice and sharp wit. Arlene was an avid
reader, gardener and student of history and current events. She was a lover
and protector of animals her entire life.
Arlene was predeceased by her son Marty. She is survived by son Scott
Miller and his wife, Glynda of Ft. Worth, Tex.; daughter Macie Brightman,
her husband Ed, and her grandson Evan Brightman of Portland.
In lieu of flowers, Arlene requested that donations be made to Washington
County Hospice, The Oregon Food Bank and the Humane Society.
A reception will be held at Arlene's home for loved ones and friends on
Saturday, April 11, at 2 p.m.
Funeral arrangements are by Fir Lawn Mortuary.
Jack Nale
(October 31, 1930—April 2, 2009)
Jack Nale, 78, died on Thursday, April 2, 2009, at St. Elizabeth Health
Services in Baker City, Oregon. A Private Family Memorial Service was held
on Saturday, April 4, 2009, at Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home in Halfway,
Oregon. Gordon Bond officiated the service.
Jack Nale Jr. was born on Oct. 31, 1930, in a tent near Tulsa, Okla., and
the lands of the Cherokee Nation. Jack was lovingly raised by his parents
Jack Nale, Sr. and Lily Lovean Nale. His family left Oklahoma and lived in
Arkansas on his Grandfather Edmondson’s property where Jack spoke of a lake
and Cypress trees. During the beginnings of the Great Depression, Jack and
his family moved to the Imperial Valley in California. Jack was an
excellent shot and provided much of his family’s food during the depression.
He often expounded on the importance of shooting well; recalling when he had
only one or two .22 shells available per day to get meat for his family.
Jack attended the Silsbee and McCabe Grade Schools and Central Union High in
El Centro, Calif. During high school, Jack joined the ROTC for a short
time. However, he didn’t much care for taking orders. In truth, he didn’t
much care for school either; preferring to work. An entrepreneur from the
start, Jack began a custom hay cutting business during his teen years. By
age 16, he hired out his cotton picker and by age 17 he had a four-man hay
baler and the employees to run it.
Jack married his one true love, Margaret (Midge) Nale, on June 19, 1948.
Jack met Midge while attending high school, as it turns out he did find one
thing about school that he loved. Midge and Jack continued to work in the
Imperial Valley in agriculture throughout the 1940s, 1950, and 1960s. Jack
also worked as a carpenter, cotton picker, millwright, in the San Diego
Defense Plant, operating a fruit stand, and loading tomato trucks. During
the off season for crops, he worked high time for Keiser Steel. This was a
daring job that Midge’s dad, Walt McNulty, helped Jack learn and become more
comfortable with. Working high time also paid better than less risky work.
Jack was always generous with the fruits of his labor and proud to have
provided for his family. He often brought gifts home for his wife and was
especially proud that the family got to swim everyday while living in
Adelanto, Calif. Jack’s custom hay operation eventually evolved into Jack
Nale Jr. and Son; where both father and son put up hay in the Imperial
Valley.
Jack and Midge enjoyed many adventures together including going to the North
Platte River, in Nebraska to trap muskrats and ranching in Mitchell, Ore.
As a carpenter and millwright, Jack helped build the tram at Palm Springs,
worked on the Pilot Knob dam on the Colorado River, and helped build
Interstate 8. In 1972, Jack and Midge traveled with good friends Bob and
Louise Morrison to Eastern Oregon. Both couples relocated from Southern
California to Oregon. Jack and Midge initially ran cattle on the
Butterfield place in Sparta. Jack found the winters there too hard on the
livestock and relocated to Richland in 1973.
In Eagle Valley, Jack continued to ranch and ran a dairy with his oldest
daughter, Patti. Later, Jack and Midge formed a partnership with their
youngest daughter and son-in-law, Dorothy and Thorny Hampton. The
partnership proved to be a lasting endeavor where the two families owned and
operated the Hitching Post Grocery and Motel as well as H&N Limousin Ranch.
Jack was a believer in the lord and served as a minister for the Full
Assembly of God in both California and Richland. The little time that Jack
did steal away from work was spent with family; often watching The “Duke,”
listening to Johnny Cash and reading Louis L’Amour.
Jack is survived by his wife, Margaret Nale of Richland, Ore.; daughter and
son-in-law, Patricia Cunha and Joseph Cunha of Pendleton, Ore.; son and
daughter-in-law, Joe and Nancy Nale of Imperial, Calif.; daughter and
son-in-law, Dorothy and Theron (Thorny) Hampton of Richland, Ore.; six
grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sisters, Marie Robison and Shirley
and husband Don Ware both of Missouri; and brother and sister-in-law Paul
and Peggy Nale of Poplarville, Miss., sister-in-law Nora Cusic of Florence,
Ore., numerous nieces and nephews.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Jack Nale Sr. and Lily Lovean
Nale; brothers, Thomas Nale and Leroy Nale; brother-in-law Monroe Robison
and grandson Joe Nale, Jr.
Those who wish to make a donation in Jack’s memory may do so to the St.
Elizabeth Care Center Hospice Room or Eagle Valley Ambulance through Tami’s
Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543 Halfway, Ore. 97834. The family
wishes to express their sincere gratitude for the exceptional care Jack
received at the St. Elizabeth Care Center and the St. Elizabeth Hospital.
Francis Sampson
(Oct. 10, 1920 - March 22, 2009)
Francis “Sam” Leslie Sampson, 88, a long time Baker City resident passed
away March 22, 2009 in Kirkland, Wash., with his daughters by his side.
A Celebration of a life well lived will be held Saturday, April 25, at 10
a.m. at Gray's West and Company, with a reception to follow at the family
home.
Francis was born in Umatilla, Ore., on Oct. 10, 1920 to Rose and Frank
Sampson. He lived in Haines, Hermiston and Huntington, graduating from
Huntington High School.
Francis served in the Air force during WWII as a radio operator on the B-24.
Following his discharge, he went to work for the Union Pacific Railroad
where he worked as an agent until his retirement.
He married Kathryn Jacobs in 1950. In 1953 their twin daughters Beverly and
Shirley were born.
He was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting and fishing. He enjoyed
traveling with his wife and later with just his girls. After his wife's
death in 1999, he again took up the sport of competition trapshooting,
something he had enjoyed in the 50's and 60's when he was the Union Pacific
Railroad agent in Wallowa. His trapshooting took him all over the Northwest
as well as several trips to Reno. He was quite the competitor often beating
others many years his junior. In all his travels, he made many friends.
Francis was preceded in death by his wife Kathryn and is survived by his
twin daughters Bev Haas and Shirley Sampson of Kirkland Washington, nieces
and nephew Rose This, Laura Perkins and Roger Leslie of Washington State and
their families.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wallowa Rod and Gun Club in
care of Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City,
OR 97814.
Fred B. Schreeck
(Died March 26, 2009)
Life long Baker County resident, Fred Schreeck, 88, of Haines, Ore., passed
away Thursday, March 26. Fred is survived by the love of his life, his wife
of 63 years, Audrae.
Fred enlisted in the U.S. Army February 1941 when he was 21 years of age and
was honorably discharged October 1945. He proudly served in the 4th Armored
Division and received the Bronze Star for meritorious service in action in
the 25th Cavalry Reconnaissance. Fred served under Lieutenant General
Creighton Abrams and General George Patton.
As a young man, Fred was a stunt motorcycle rider with Roland and Omar
George, and he also wrestled and boxed. He was an avid sportsman, enjoying
hunting and fishing with his wife and family.
Fred worked in the family business, Schreeck’s Famous Ice Cream and Cold
Storage before and after his service in the military. He also worked for the
City of Baker for over 20 years and then retired to his farm in the Baker
Valley with Audrae, raising sheep and cattle. As a grandfather, Fred
delighted his grandchildren by listening to the radio early in the morning,
and ending every meal with “mighty fine, mighty fine”.
Fred raised four children: son, Fred Jr.; daughter, Sarah Susan; daughter,
Sherry; and daughter, Shelley. He is survived by his wife, Audrae, his
daughter, Sherry and her husband, Abel Mendoza, and his daughter, Shelley
and her husband, Guy Hankins, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren,
and his brother, Russell and his wife, Ruby of Florida.
Fred was preceded in death by his son, Fred Jr., his mother and father, Emma
and Fred Schreeck, and his sister, Augusta Biggs.
A sudden onset of severe dementia changed Fred’s life in the last several
years. He remained at home, cared for and loved by his wife.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Salvation Army or Alzheimer’s
Research in c/o Gray’s West and Company, Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewy Avenue,
Baker City, Oregon 97814.
Phyllis Smith
(Jan. 17, 1935—April 4, 2009)
Phyllis Bertha (Morris) Smith was born Jan. 17, 1935 in Cove, Ore. the
youngest daughter of Elmer and Agnes Morris. She died April 4, 2009, at
Grande Ronde Hospital.
She attended school in La Grande and Cove where she eventually graduated.
Soon after graduation, she met and married Merlin W. Smith of North Powder.
They were married 48 years. He preceded her in death on April 5, 2003. She
was the youngest of the family with six siblings. She began work as the
deputy clerk at North Powder School District in 1964. After 26 years with
the school, a stroke in 1990 forced her to leave that position and spend her
remaining years at home.
Survivors include her sons, Sherwood and his wife Kerri and children
Breanne, Dylan and Kelsey; Gareld and his wife Stephanie and their children
Jeremy, Brandon and Morgan; sister, Della Ehrenburg. In addition, she has
one great-granddaughter, Lireal Fifield. Also, Phyllis had numerous
in-laws, nieces and nephews and friends that she dearly loved.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. at Loveland Funeral Home in La
Grande. The graveside service will follow at the North Powder Cemetery. A
dinner will occur in the multi-purpose room of Powder Valley Elementary.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the North Powder Community
Partners or a charity of one’s choice through Loveland Mortuary.
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