ObitualuM.
THURSDAY, APRIL 21,2016
Paul Vincent
Thomason
Blanie V.
George
April 1924-Jan. 2016
June 1930 - April 2016
Paul Vincent Thomason passed away on Jan.
13, 2016 in Scotts Valley, Calif, in the presence
of loving family and friends. A Graveside Serv
ice with Military Honors will be held on Thursday, April 28,2016 at 1
p.m. at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Baker City. A reception will follow at
the home of LaVelle Woodcock following the service.
Paul was bom on April 12, 1924 in Baker City, Ore. to Irene “Dot”
Haas Thomason and her husband, George Elton Thomason. In his nearly
92 years of life, Paul served his country during World War II, pursued
a career in the nuclear power industry, and nurtured a family of four
children, nine grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
Paul was predeceased by his first wife, Ora Mae Whited Thomason,
and his second wife, Betty Jane Burke Thomason. He is survived by
his children Terry Thomason (Kathi), Elizabeth Taylor, Alfred Thoma
son (Connie), Sue Schwee, and their children and grandchildren. Also
surviving are his step-children from his marriage with Betty, Jacqueline
Crouthamel (Dan), Kathleen Burke, and Susan Cornell (Jeff).
Paul was a modest and unassuming man who accomplished much in
his professional career. More importantly, he lived his personal life with
great honor and principle. Throughout his long life, Paul epitomized
die standard of a good and decent man. Paul showed unfailing loyalty
and dedication to his family, honesty in all his dealings, uncompromis
ing commitment to achievement through hard work, and generous kind
ness to everyone he met.
Paul grew up in humble circumstances during the great Depression
on a small ranch outside of Baker City. Before he finished high school,
the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Like many did at the time, Paul
joined the Navy to do his part in the national defense. While still a
teenager, he found himself as a crew member on the USS Guadalcanal
aircraft carrier battling a German submarine in the Atlantic Ocean. The
German submarine’s official designation was the “U-505.”
In the ensuing fight, the U-505 was disabled and forced to the surface.
Before the Germans could scuttle and sink the submarine, U.S. sailors
set out to board and capture the vessel. Paul was among the boarders
who attached a towline from the carrier to the submarine. The battle re
sulted in the U.S. Navy’s only capture of an enemy combatant vessel
on die high seas since the War of 1812. The U-505 is now on display
in in the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.
Paul never told his family of his part in the U-505 capture until his
children discovered a small book of old photos from Paul’s years in the
Navy. Like always, Paul responded to their questions in humble and
reserved terms. He told his children he was just like many other young
sailors on that day. He said he was “scared,” but he followed orders
and did his best to be a good sailor.
Many years later, Paul’s daughter, Sue, collected Paul’s medals and
old Navy uniform. Without telling Paul, she had them placed in a frame
for display. When Paul learned what Sue had done, he was a little em
barrassed. However, he remained proud of his years in service, and he
was pleased that his family treasured the symbols of his time as a U.S.
Navy sailor.
After WWII, Paul returned to civilian life in Oregon. There he met
and wed a young rancher’s daughter named Ora Mae Whited on May
9,1947. In the following years, their marriage produced four children
and saw Paul’s entry into the emerging nuclear energy industry. After
hard study and training, Paul began work as a reactor operator. Paul’s
successive promotions led the family to a progression of power plants
in Washington State, Idaho, Ohio, and Nebraska. Over more than three
decades, Paul rose in the industry to end his career as a highly respected
manager of a major reactor facility.
¿Through these years, the family’s greatest hardship was Ora Mae’s
long battle with multiple sclerosis. Ora Mae’s MS first appeared in the
late 1950’s and gradually deprived her of mobility over the next 20 years
until she passed away. Despite Ora Mae’s progressive loss of mobility,
Paul ensured she played a central role in all aspects of family life. Paul
taught the children early to handle the household chores, and he took
Ora Mae to Little League games, PTA meetings, and all the other activ
ities of any young family. His continuing love for Ora Mae was clear
to all who saw them together.
On July 10, 1981, Paul married Betty Jane Burke. Soon thereafter,
they moved to Las Vegas to enjoy Paul’s retirement. In April 2007, they
moved from Las Vegas to Scotts Valley, CAto be close to daughter Sue.
Sue helped Betty and Paul obtain a beautiful apartment in Oak Tree
Villa, an assisted living complex. They greatly enjoyed the many ac
tivities, services and security available to them there. Betty enjoyed
music and reading programs, and Paul enjoyed the Veteran’s Group and
social activities with the many other residents. With the help of daughter
Sue and son Al, Paul was also able to travel to reunions and family
events in Oregon and Arizona. He especially enjoyed being with his
many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Betty’s health gradually deteriorated due to Parkinson’s disease, and
she passed away on Dec. 13,2015. Paul’s health also began to decline.
He passed away on January 13, 2016 after suffering a bout with pneu
monia.
For those who would like to make a memorial donation in memory
of Paul, the family suggests either C.A.T.S at www.catsabouttown.
org/about/ or any veterans program or charity of your choice. Online
condolences may be shared at http://www.tamispinevalleyfuneral-
home.com/
Georgann (Georg)
Crosby Koehler
March 1946 - April. 2016
’ Georgann (Georg) Crosby Koehler passed away on April 9, 2016 at
Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis, Ore. A memorial get together
for family will be held later this summer.
* Georg was bom on March 24,1946 in Baker to Ernest E. and Evelyn
Lilley Swiger. She graduated from Baker High School in 1964. She
(named James (Jim) Koehler in December of 1967 in Ontario. They
had two sons, Jamie and Zane.
j Georg had many interests and a zest for life. After high school she
Attended Eastern Oregon College for one year before she transferred to
the School of Floral Design in Portland. Upon completion of Design
School she moved to Boise, Idaho where she worked as a florist at
Johnny Hom Flowers. After getting married, she and Jim moved to
Newport until he got drafted. Then they moved to a base in Belgium.
While stationed there, Georg was able to visit Irthlingborough, England,
the birthplace of her grandfather.
> After returning to the States, Georg and Jim moved to Eugene where
they resided for 30 years and raised their children. She worked as an
aide at an elementary school, making many close friends. When she re
tired, they moved to Coburg and served on the City Council.
• She was most recently a resident of Siletz where she lived with her
husband and owned a bakery with her son, Jamie. It was in this career
that she was able to share her baking talent with family, friends, and the
Community. Her grandchildren loved to help her in the bakery and she
loved their company.
She enjoyed the beach, spending time with friends and grandchildren,
gardening, crocheting, sewing, painting, creating new recipes, making
jewelry, and designing flowers and cakes for family and friends’ wed
dings.
Survivors include her husband, Jim, and sons, Jamie (fiance’ Pauline)
and Zane (Amy); four grandchildren, Fisher, Zoey, Violet, and Finn
Koehler; a sister and brother-in-law, Mary Lou (Swiger) and Cub Bare;
brother-in-law, Don (Dinah) Koehler; and several nieces and nephews.
Georg’s creative spirit and laughter will be greatly missed by all who
knew her. Memorial contributions can be made to a charity of choice.
3
Death and
Service
Notices
Blanie V. George, 85, of Baker City, passed
away April 15,2016 at Saint Alphonsus Medical
Center in Baker City. A memorial service will be
held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 22 at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral with
Father Robert Greiner officiating. A reception will follow at the St.
Francis Parish Hall. The interment will be held in Kanosh, Utah.
On June 13, 1930, Blanie was bom to Owen V. and Ethel (Wiley)
George in Delta, Utah. He graduated from high school in 1948 from
Delta, Utah and attended college. He then joined the Air Force and
proudly served for 20 years retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. After re
tiring from the Air Force, Blanie went back to college and received a
degree in Safety Engineering.
Blanie married Sally V. Snyder on December 6,1953 in Waco, Texas
and together they were blessed with five children. Sally passed away at
an early age on February 8,1985.
On June 14, 1986, Blanie married his second wife Joan Welter in
Baker City. Joan had four children of her own.
In his spare time, he liked to go fishing and hunting. He also had a
passion for education and learning, gardening, and especially for read
ing. Blanie was a member of the LDS church, American Legion, Trail
Tenders, and he was a volunteer at the Leo Adler House. His work as a
Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force was one of his proud
est life accomplishments and he enjoyed trading stories with friends.
Blanie is survived by his wife Joan George of Baker City, his son and
daughter in-law, Bill and Barbara George of Wilsonville, son Steven
George of Portland, son Ted George of Portland, daughter and son in
law Sarah and Todd Kohler of Boise, Idaho, son Robert George of
Boise; stepson and daughter in-law Don and Jackie Welter of Bend,
stepson and daughter in-law Jeff and Robin Welter of Portland, step
daughter Mary Banta of Baker City, and stepson James Welter of Bums.
Blanie is also survived by seven grandchildren and two great-grandchil
dren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Owen and Ethel George, his
first wife Sally and his siblings.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project
or to a charity of one’s choice through Gray’s West and Company Pio
neer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814. Please visit:
www.grayswestco.com, to light a candle in memory of Blanie.
Loretta “Hope”
Phillips
Jan. 1945-April 2016
Loretta “Hope” Phillips of Pendleton, former
longtime Boardman, was bom on January 16,
1945 in Gooding, Idaho to parents, Herbert and
Olive Wolfe Points. She died on April 14,2016 in Pendleton at the age
of 71 years.
Hoge was^aiscd in Haines ujiti.1 1955 when the family moved to
Baker where she graduated in the class of 1963‘ from Baker High
School. She worked for a time as a waitress and then went to work as a
bank teller at First National Bank. Hope married George Phillips in 1967
in Weiser, ID. They moved around to follow George as he worked con
struction for the railroad for several years. They moved to Boardman in4
1974 and other than a brief period, they continued to live there until
George passed away in 2011.
Hope worked in Boardman at City Hall, the local grocery store, and
at Wilson’s Willow Run Golf Course for 10 years. She moved to Pendle
ton in 2011 and has lived there since.
She became an active member of the Pendleton First Christian
Church, and had been active in Tillicum Club, Eagles, VFW Auxiliary,
CW.F., Bell Choir, & Faithful Comfort Crafters. Hope enjoyed golfing,
sewing and crocheting.
She is survived by her daughter: Lorie Case and her husband Tod,
Pendleton; son: Dan Phillips and his wife Kelly, Klamath Falls; sisters
Rosie Carter, Nampa, Idaho, Glenda Sather, Ontario, and Charlene Mur
ray, Gillette, Wyoming; brother Herb Points, Payette, ID; grandchildren:
Adrean, Johnny, Daniel, Brittany, and Miranda; great grandchildren:
Elizabeth, Jaiden, Kloaie, and Olivia; special friends: Lydia Hull, Pam
Fisher, and Marlene Bork; numerous nieces and nephews.
Hope was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, brothers:
Dan, Pete, and Gary Points; sisters: Ella Bruner and Georgia Brooks.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 10
a.m. at the Riverview Cemetery in Boardman, Ore.
A celebration of life service will follow at noon at the Pendleton
Christian Church, 215 N. Main St., Pendleton, OR 97801.
In Lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Hope’s memory to
the Pendleton First Christian Church.
Please sign the online guest book at bumsmortuaryhermiston.com
Bums Mortuary of Hermiston, Ore. is in care of arrangements.
Robert Andrew Brown, 84,
of Baker City passed away
April 14, 2016 at his resi
dence in Baker City.
Arrangements are being
made through Gray’s West
&
Company
Pioneer
Chapel. You may go to
www.grayswest.com
to
light a candle in memory of
Robert.
Jadene Profltt, 59, of Baker
City, died on April 12,2016
at
Saint
Alphonsus
Regional Medical Center in
Boise, Idaho. Arrangements
are under the direction of
Tami's Pine Valley Funeral
Home
&
Cremation
Services. Online condo
lences may be shared at
www.tamispinevalleyfuner-
alhome.com
Donald Christy, 89, of
Baker City, died on April
13,2016 at Saint Alphonsus
Regional Medical Center in
Boise, Idaho. A private
family graveside service
was held at Mt. Hope
Cemetery in Baker City,
Oregon. Arrangements are
under the direction of
Tami's Pine Valley Funeral
Home & Cremation Serv
ices. Online condolences
may be shared at www.
tamispinevalleyfuneral-
home.com
Michael Linscott, 28, of
Baker City, passed away at
his residence on April 18,
2016. Arrangements are
being made through Gray’s
West & Company Pioneer
Chapel. To light a candle in
memory of Michael, please
visit:
www.grayswestco ’
.com.
Albert Owen, 72, of Baker
City, passed away at his res
idence on April 18, 2016.
Arrangements are being
made through Gray’s West
&
Company
Pioneer
Chapel. To light a candle in
memory of Albert, please
visit:
www.grayswestco
.com.
Frank DeBeney, 74, of
Baker City, passed away at
his residence on April 17,
2016. Arrangements are
being made through Gray’s
West & Company Pioneer
Chapel. To light a candle in
memory of Frank, please
visit:
www.grayswestco
.com.
Baker's Best
Full Service
Automotive
Repair Shop
Paul’s f
Transmission & Repair
2540 Cedar, Baker City
www.paulsrepairandtransmission.com
541-523-6923
jJRgord-Couner
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Thursday, April 21,2016
She’s everywhere
you want her to be.
This Mother’s Day, thank your Mom,
thank your wife ... because love takes Mom.
J.TABOR 0
JEWELERS
1913 Main St. • Baker City • 541-524-1999