Austin H. Coates
Eric Charles Wendt
Austin H. Coates
(Aug. 29, 1926-Jan. 28, 2012)
Austin H. Coates, 85, died Jan. 28, 2012 in North Powder, Ore.
A visitation will be held Friday, Feb. 3, 2012 from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012 from 9-11 a.m. A graveside service will be held Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012 at 1 p.m. at the North Powder Cemetery. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception at the North Powder Grange Hall following the service. Pastor Garth Johnson will officiate.
Austin was born Aug. 29, 1926 in Allen, Okla., to Alfred and Grace (Austin) Coates. He attended school in North Powder and then became a butcher and warehouseman at North Powder Mill & Grain Company. Austin later married Alta Mae Pearson on September 6, 1945 in Baker City, Ore.
His hobbies included hunting, fishing, camping, and dancing. Austin belonged to both the Eagles and Elks club. He was a simple man who cherished life, love family and friends.
He is survived by his sister Betty Newman of Estacada, Ore.; daughter Charlotte Allen of Longview, Wash., son Wayne Coates of Columbia, S. C., 8 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
Austin is preceded in death by his wife Alta Mae Coates who passed Oct. 23, 1987; three sisters Pauline Courtney; Allene Parker; Ulla Aldridge; and numerous brother and sister-in-laws.
Memorial contributions may be made to Wolf Creek Grange or to the North Powder Senior Center through Grays West & Company Pioneer Chapel 1500 Dewey Ave. 97814.
Eric Charles Wendt
(June 25, 1943-Jan. 22, 2012)
Our brother Eric and father of Clare was a descendant of an Old Time Ranching Family that settled in Burnt River Valley in 1861. Eric was born to then Army Captain Harlan and Florence at Fort Knox, Kentucky on June 25, 1943.
The Wendt Brothers Ranch located in Bridgeport, Ore., would provide for Eric thru his growing years and most of his working lifetime. He attended St. Francis Academy, Hereford Grade School, and Baker Junior High and graduated from Baker Senior High. Higher education was from Oregon State and Eastern Oregon College.
Eric was a partner with his father, Harlan and his brother Charlie in the Bridgeport Wendt Brothers Ranch up to and until its sale in the spring of 1981. Shortly thereafter he moved to San Rafael where he worked as a General Building Contractor throughout the Bay Area. He then went on to work for Urban Pacific Properties and his sister Kereen for 15 years as a Maintenance Supervisor and had just retired at the end of December 2011.
Growing up as a steadfast admirer and supporter of Elvis Presley, cars proved to be the most affinitive of his affections throughout his lifetime. Very rarely was the occasion, where some car or automotive issue came up of which Eric did not have extensive knowledge. For his brothers and sisters, driving with Eric over Dooley Mt. was an experience always to be remembered!
While his interests and loves were many fold, history, economics and politics were subjects that he intensely delved into. Being so very well rounded, Eric could and would offer comment and debate on most any issue. Just to add spirit to the conversation, he would and could take either position of pro or con - whatever it would take for some challenging “Conversational Jousting” Combined with his slight hearing impairment and some dry wit, a response from Eric often resulted in a quite humorous and provocative response to the inquirer or listener.
Eric was blessed with that once in a lifetime circle of friends who throughout their lives have always given their unyielding support to one another – something truly amazing and admirable. Along with a closely knit family and many other friendships, Eric was never alone. The numerous and memorable family-held get togethers at Kereen's home were a joy and experience with Eric’s attendance. Daughter Clare along with grandchildren Hailey and Conner were really loved by Eric. Clare was most often the affectionate subject of conversation.
While living in San Rafael, Eric met Catherine Grandi who became his most endearing friend and companion. Their relationship created a wonderful loving and understandable bond which Eric cherished and enjoyed for over 15 years.
Being preceded in death by both mother and father, Eric is survived by daughter Clare and grandchildren Hailey and Conner as well as brother Charles, his wife Darlene and their son Jared and daughter Monique, Brother Henry, sisters, Mary Wendt and Kereen Stoll and her Husband Richard Stoll, their daughter Kate and son Sasha
A large battle and challenge in Eric’s life was the use of tobacco. Its tenacious grip had an unrelenting hold on him. In addition to pulmonary issues as a result of COPD, Eric had just recently been diagnosed with a rare brain condition called Amyloid Angiopathy. It is believed that a combination of these conditions took their ultimate toll on Eric’s life and loving family on the morning of January 22, 2012.
A Memorial and Celebration of Eric’s life will be held on Feb. 9 in the afternoon at San Rafael Commons, 302 Fourth Street, San Rafael, Calif. Eric requested his ashes be spread on the Old Ranch Property at Bridgeport. This wish will be accommodated for Eric in July when family members come to Baker for their annual get together during Miners’ Jubilee. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be given to Cancer Research.
The family appreciates the thoughts and prayers sent by all and pray that Eric and his soul are resting in peace.
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