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About Applegater. (Jacksonville, OR) 2008-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2022)
2 Summer 2022 Applegater OBITUARIES Taren Slade Dempsey December 11, 1995 – October 13, 2019 Williams Fire Department Support Group hosts community yard sale June 18-19 BY KAREN ROGERS Taren Slade Dempsey went to be with his mother in heaven on Sunday, October 13, 2019. Taren cherished his family and friends. But nothing compared to his devotion and proudness for his son, Elias Slade. He spent his time fishing with, playing with, and loving Elias at every opportunity. Hi s re m a i n i n g f a m i l y included his widow, Aliesha Franks; L. Craig Dempsey (father); and Tiffany Dempsey (stepmother), who resided with him in Ruch. Siblings Lauren Thompson, LillyAnn Espinoza (niece), Lynzi Kidwell (two nephews, JH and Jaxon; and one niece, Charlotte), Christian Anderson, and Austin Anderson all will carry his heart and vibrant memories for all years to come. Grandparents Carol and Jesse Swagerty, Dale and Bobbi Dempsey, Gill and Sonya Turner, and Pam Meek will forever miss their loving grandson. Taren's soul was destined for Oregon. He loved the Applegate and Illinois valleys. A farmer and science enthusiast for all things in nature and learning, he lived and embraced his life fully. Fishing, kayaking, camping—and oh! the music!—with all his friends was the open book he thrived on with more passion than most will ever live. He loved his friends without doubt and gave without pause. He forever will be missed. Malcolm Douglas Towns January 3, 1944 – February 11, 2022 Malcolm was born in Alameda, California, on January 3, 1944. He and his older brother, Duncan, spent the days of their youth in the East Bay riding bikes, playing ball, and getting into their fair share of trouble . . . so I am told. Shortly after his time in the Army, Malcolm was hired by the City of Hayward where he began his 33-year career with the fire service, retiring from the City of Burlingame in 1997 as their fire chief. Moving to southern Oregon was his next adventure. Malcolm had never lived anywhere but the San Francisco Bay Area. He and I jumped right in, working to figure out this new life of ours. The following years would find us committed to doing volunteer work, making new friends, pursuing our interests, traveling, and continuing to grow roots in the Applegate Valley. We worked hard and had a lot of fun. Malcolm was a generous friend and neighbor. He cherished his family of four generations and is loved beyond measure by each one of them. Our time together spanned 35 years. He made so many of my dreams come true. Malcolm passed away in Medford, Oregon, on February 11, 2022. I, with his children Shelli Kravitz, Mark Towns, and Michael Towns, have the utmost gratitude for the care he received from the caregiving and medical professionals with Roxy Ann Memory Care and Providence Hospice of Medford. Our family will gather sometime in the coming months. The memories and stories we share then and through the years to follow will undoubtedly make us smile and continue to celebrate the life that Malcolm lived and his place in our hearts. If you are so inclined, memorial contributions in Malcolm’s memory may be made to Wildlife Images at wildlifeimages.org or Rogue Valley Habitat for Humanity at roguevalleyhabitat.org. Lynn Towns lynntowns1@gmail.com ■ FARM TOUR Continued from page 1 and pollinator plants. They have over 350 varieties of hardy plants, all propagated and grown on site. Event brochures with a map of the participating locations are available throughout the valley, and a digital version is available to download at roguevalleyfarmtour.com. There is much to see and do on the day of the event, and the Farm Tour brochure offers a few tips to make the most of the day. Please leave pets at home. Bring a water bottle and cooler to store farm- fresh goods. Wear shoes you don’t mind getting dirty. GPS and cell phone reception are spotty in some locations, so check your directions before you head out. Jessica Bullard jess.northwest@gmail.com Whistling Duck Farm Store (top photo) and the English Lavender Farm (bottom photo) are among the farms open to visitors on July 17 for the Rogue Valley Farm Tour. The Williams Fire Department Support Group has been actively supporting their fire department and community since 2009. They provide coffee and refreshments for monthly community meetings and for several annual events and generate revenue for fire department services with an annual yard sale. On March 29, the Support Gro u p a s s i s t e d t h e Fi re Department with the Vietnam Veterans potluck barbecue Chief Rick Vetter speaks at the luncheon, supplying potluck memorial service for Wes and Sue Nevotti. dishes, helping with setup, and serving the meal. The veterans really enjoyed the event, which enabled them to reach out to and get acquainted with other local veterans. American Legion Post 50, which currently has 48 members, and the new Ladies Auxiliary branch, with 25 members, provided the Color Guard ceremony. Singer- songwriter Windsong Martin provided music on her guitar. The Ceremony of Life service for fallen firefighters Wes and Sue Nevotti was recently held at the Williams fire station, attended by their family and community members. The service began with a procession Volunteer Firefighter KC Welch and Community Relations of fire trucks and community Officer Rosie Faith serve at the veterans luncheon. vehicles representing Williams Rural Fire Protection District (WRFPD), behind the fire station at 211 East Fork Josephine County Sheriff’s Department, Road. The Support Group depends on the Rural Metro Fire Department, AMR community for donations of gently used A m b u l a n c e , I l l i n o i s Va l l e y Fi r e items for their sales. Additionally, folks can Department, and Applegate Valley Fire rent a 12- by 12-foot space for $25 for the Department. The very moving memorial two days to sell their own stuff and keep service included a flag and bell ceremony their profits. The fenced field is locked at by the Oregon Fire Service Honor Guard night, with security provided. This two- and ended with “Amazing Grace” on day event is a great way for folks to get bagpipes, followed by the sounding of the acquainted with the Support Group and old fire-station alarm, which moved many support the Williams Fire Department. to tears. The Support Group assisted with Having Santa and Mrs. Claus at the the service arrangements and served coffee fire house each December is a fun event, and refreshments. with presents for all the children who The Support Group assists with the attend, carolers with festive music, and community coffee on the first Wednesday refreshments by the support group. This of each month at 10 am at the fire station. year Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the At these gatherings, the community gets fire station on December 18. an update by Fire Chief Rick Vetter WRFPD depends on the local and information from guest speakers community for support. The passage of about various programs and other things the 2020 levy allows the fire department to happening in the community. The maintain its present level of service to the community coffee is a great way for community. The fire department, board, neighbors to get to know one another, and and Support Group are very thankful to all are welcome to attend. local businesses and groups who have Looking ahead, the support group graciously donated to the WRFPD. will be assisting firefighters with the The Support Group is looking for new Firefighter Awards Banquet in May, the members to support the events noted community yard sale in June, the Fourth above and to attend the monthly planning of July parade in downtown Williams, meetings, at 6 pm the second Monday of the WRFPD Open House in September, each month at the Williams Fire Station, the annual Halloween Trunk-or-Treat 211 East Fork Road. Night, the WRFPD Christmas party, and If you would like more information the appearance of Santa at the fire station about upcoming events, or if you’d like to on December 18, as well as the ongoing join the Support Group, contact Claudia renovation of the old firehouse, plus Pratt, president, at 541-218-4306, or T-shirt and sweatshirt sales. Karen Rogers, secretary, at krogers1952@ The 2022 Community Yard Sale, with gmail.com. proceeds going to the fire department, Karen Rogers takes place on June 18-19 in the field krogers1952@gmail.com Happy Father's Day