Joel Landon Cummings
Kirk Wade Dennis
Kyle Jacob Durr
Betty Tidwell
Leroy Eugene Wallis
Joel Landon Cummings
(April 25, 1985—Nov. 22, 2009)
Joel Landon Cummings, 24 of Baker City, passed away November 22, 2009 at University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, Wash. from complications with Cystic Fibrosis. Joel was listed at the top waiting for a double lung transplant. His family and friends were with him at the time he left this earth to be in the presence of the Lord.
There will be no service at this time, but at a later date there will be a celebration of his life.
Joel was born in Baker City on April 25, 1985. He was diagnosed with a genetic disease, Cystic Fibrosis, at three days of age and there began a journey of pain, discomfort, worry, but most of all joy in life itself. “CF” affected him in all aspects of life, but he was able to maintain a positive outlook throughout his life. He enjoyed playing sports of all kinds but tennis was his favorite.
Joel constantly set goals for himself and always worked hard until he achieved them. When Joel was a freshman in High School, he job shadowed his Uncle at the fire station. From that time, Joel made up his mind he would become a paramedic and that he did. Joel received an associate’s degree in Emergency Medical Services as a Paramedic. His first job was in Safford, Ariz. working for Southwest Ambulance Services. Joel was in the height of glory when he was in the back of the ambulance trying to save someone’s life.
He met Saundra Butcher in Baker City and she became his wife on July 27, 2008 at South Lake Tahoe, Calif. and was truly the love of his life. They enjoyed just spending time together and playing with their two huskies, Kai and Kona and Joel’s most favorite weenie dog, Splinter.
Joel is survived by his wife, Saundra, his mom, Phyllis, his brother Jason, his sister Kayla and her husband Richard Chung of Eugene, uncles and aunts, David and Karen Yeakley and Jim and Lindy Thomas, all of Baker City. Family was extremely important to Joel and he had a unique relationship with each one of them.
It says in God’s word in James 1:19: “So then my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath, for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” This was Joel personified. He looked for the good qualities in each person he knew.
Joel was anxious for the possibility of lengthening his life by having a double lung transplant. He also knew that whatever the Lord’s will was he was ready. He is now in heaven with his own brand new set of lungs!
Contributions may be made to the Baker City Fire Department or Baker High School Athletic Department.
Kirk Wade Dennis
(April 30, 1957—Dec. 5, 2009)
Kirk Wade Dennis, 52, passed away in Baker City on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009.
Funeral services will be held at Calvary Baptist Church, on the corner of Broadway and Third on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009, at 10 a.m. with a reception immediately following. Graveside services will be conducted at Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway at 2 p.m. the same day.
Kirk was born on April 30, 1957 in Baker City and was raised on a dairy in Halfway. He graduated from Pine Eagle High School in 1975. He was a talented all around athlete, and played on the Shrine Team his senior year. He went on to play football at Mt. Hood Community College and finished his college career at OSU, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics in 1979.
On June 12, 1982 Kirk married Ann Irene Henry at Catherine Creek State Park. They made their home in Richland and later moved to Baker City where, for over 20 years, Kirk owned and operated a successful business as a financial investment advisor. He was a member of the Elkhorn Athletic Club where he enjoyed playing racquetball, was a member of the Lion’s Club, the Baker City Elks, and served on the YMCA Board. Kirk volunteered as a youth coach, and was a long time member of the Calvary Baptist Church. He was an enthusiastic student of the Bible. As an avid outdoorsman, he loved to hunt and fish with his son and friends. He enjoyed jet boating on the Snake River. He was a history buff and enjoyed traveling. He and his wife took many vacations together. Among other hobbies he took pleasure in restoring vintage Chevrolet pickups. Kirk was also a gifted carpenter.
He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Ann Dennis, his son Michael Dennis and daughters Josie Bork of Baker City, Holly Hailey and son-in-law Chad Hailey of Clackamas, Wendy Dennis of Portland; and three granddaughters, Jade and Jocelyn Bork, ages 3 and 2, and Makayla Hailey, age 1. He is also survived by his mother Barbara Dennis, grandmother Belle Johnson, brother Blake Dennis and his wife Kellie, sister Nancy Denig and her husband Joe, and their families, all of Halfway; his mother and father in law, Max and Mary Jean Henry of Baker City; uncles Gene and Everett Dennis of Richland; Dave Dennis of Fossil; aunt Betty Hindman of Baker; and uncle Leland Johnson of New Port Beach, Calif.
He was preceded in death by an infant brother, Tony, his father, Vernon Dennis, his grandfather, Lorval Johnson and grandparents Allen and Opal Dennis.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Baker City YMCA or the Pine Eagle United Youth Fund through Gray’s West and Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, Ore. 9714
Kirk was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.
Kyle Jacob Durr
(Nov. 29, 1984—Dec. 4, 2009)
A Traditional Funeral Service was held for Kyle Jacob Durr on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009, at 11 a.m. at the Halfway Elementary School Gym. Interment will follow at Pine Haven Cemetery. Friends were invited to join the family for a reception to be held immediately following the interment at the Halfway Lions Hall.
On the 29th day of November, 1984 Kyle Jacob Durr began his journey in life and blessed the lives of his parents Shawn and Brenda Durr.
Through the years that followed Kyle's arrival on the earth, he formed a strong and unique relationship with his parents and siblings; Casie, Whitney and Trevor, along with the rest of his family. Kyle did not need fancy toys and lavish possessions to be happy. All he needed were his family and friends.
As a young man Kyle grew to love the outdoors and became an accomplished athlete at Pine Eagle High School before graduating in 2003.
Kyle was a skilled hunter and sportsman. In Kyle's eyes there was no mountain too high or canyon too deep. Aside from the many trophies that Kyle has taken through the years, it was not just about the harvest. To Kyle it was about being outdoors and experiencing everything that the hunt had to offer him. Kyle was always the first to share his knowledge and love for the outdoors.
Kyle spent many years working on the family ranch with his father and grandfather. One of Kyle's most loved tasks on the Durr Ranch was working bison and cattle. Hard work was not something that Kyle was afraid of.
However, it was Kyle’s love for wildlife and the outdoors that ultimately drove him to start in the business of taxidermy.
Even though Kyle had a love for hunting, that is not what defined him. It was his love and devotion for his family that made Kyle who he was. Kyle was a lot of things to a lot of people but selfish was not one of them. Last year, Kyle sold his prized hunting rifle to buy Christmas gifts for his family. When it came to Kyle's family, there was nothing he wouldn't do.
Kyle struggled with epilepsy from the age of 17, but was never consumed or beaten by it. Aided and comforted by his family, Kyle continued to grow and became a man that enriched the lives of everyone who knew him.
Some people see a successful life as living to an old age. Even though Kyle lived a short life, it was spent doing the things he loved with the people he loved doing it with. Kyle viewed a successful life as being happy and finding joy in everything that he did, no matter where or what it was.
Kyle touched the lives of many people and accomplished something at the age of 25 that many men never do: a successful life.
Kyle went to the Lord on Dec. 4, 2009.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather Samuel Freeman, Aunt Heather Durr, grandmother Carolyn Durr and nephew Treigh Hearne.
Kyle is survived by his parents, Shawn and Brenda, his siblings Trevor, Whitney, Casie, her husband Brandon and their daughter Jordan; as well as numerous Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.
Those who wish to make a memorial donation in Memory of Kyle may do so to the Oregon Epilepsy Foundation through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home P.O. Box 543 Halfway, Ore. 97834
Betty Tidwell
(May 17, 1924—Nov. 28, 2009)
Betty Tidwell, 85, of Baker City died Nov. 28, 2009, at St. Elizabeth Hospital. Her graveside service was held Friday, Dec. 4, 2009, 1 p.m. at Haines Cemetery, Haines, Ore. with her grandson, Roy Tidwell officiating.
Betty Catherine Tidwell was born May 17, 1924, in Bartlesville, Okla., to John Melville Williams and Una Ann Lefevers Williams.
She married Roy E. Tidwell in Las Vegas, Nev. on June 14, 1943. Roy preceded her in death on June 18, 1999.
Betty loved horses, dogs, painting, and traveling. She moved often and lived all around the world. She always kept busy and wasn’t afraid to try new things. Betty loved life and was very active. Her husband ran the Antlers Hotel for a time which she enjoyed because she was a very social person and made friends fast.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. She is survived by her son, Roy Michael Tidwell of Lone Pine, California, a granddaughter, Robin Feik and husband Robert of North Powder, Ore. and a grandson, Roy M. Tidwell and wife Stephanie of Haines, Ore.
Memorial contributions may be made to Settler’s Park Activity Fund c/o Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, Ore. 97814.
Leroy Eugene Wallis
(June 20, 1918—Nov. 25, 2009)
Leroy Wallis, 91, of Baker City died Nov. 25, 2009, at St. Elizabeth Hospital. Inurnment will be in Missouri Valley, Iowa at a later date.
Leroy Eugene Wallis was born on June 20, 1918, in Little Sioux, Iowa, to Daniel Fifield Wallis and Eva Grace Gee Wallis. Gene spent most of his life in Harrison or Monona County, Iowa. The Wallis and Gee families came to Iowa from Canada and settled in the Mondamin, Little Sioux area in 1898. He went to many of the country schools and completed the 10th grade.
He was married to Loretta Ann Davis in Sioux City in 1939 where he was engaged in farming in the Little Sioux area. His only child, Judy, was born in 1941 and in 1944 he was drafted into the US Army. He served in the Philippines and Korea. He was discharged in 1946 as a Sergeant.
Gene spent several years in Greenland and Alaska working construction. He had his own plumbing business in Mondamin and later farmed in that area.
In 1953 he married Thelma Herman Evans, who preceded him in death in 1979. For many years he lived in Onawa with Clara Hansen who passed away in 1994. He then divided his time between Vancouver, Wash. and Mondamin, visiting with his sister, Cleo, in the winter. In 2005 he moved to the Crowell Memorial Assisted Living Center in Blair. In 2007 when Judy and Ben moved to Oregon he joined them, living at the Memory Care Unit of Settlers Park in Baker City.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents Daniel F. and Eva Grace Gee Wallis, his sister Irene Rolph, and niece Alvina Phillips.
He is survived by his daughter, Judy and husband Ben White of Baker City; grandson, Michael White and great grand daughter, Keily of Las Vegas, Nev.; grandson, Kenneth White and great grand daughters, Alexus and Ashley of Spokane, Wash.; grandson, Brain White of Baker City; a brother, Charles Wallis of Little Sioux, a sister, Cleo Flood of Vancouver, Washington; nieces and nephews: Lois Miller of Soldier, Iowa; Lorna McNeil, Norman and Marsha Rolph of Onawa, Iowa; Katharine Oaks of Whiting, Iowa; Gordon and Bonnie Rolph of Kelly, Iowa; Wallis and Lorna Rolph of California; Terry and Jane Thorson of Vancouver, Wash.; Linda and Danny Snodgrass of Omaha, Nebraska; George and Pat Wallis of San Antonio, Tex.
Cards may be sent to: The Family of Leroy Wallis, 3345 Estes Street, Baker City, Ore. 97814 or you can visit his website at http://www.itsjudy. com/dad.htm . Arrangements by Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, Ore. 97814.
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