Page 6A
RECORDS
East Oregonian
Saturday, June 24, 2017
Arthur Samuel (Sam) Burford
Steven Tracy Ervin
Dennis Smith
Mexico, New York
January 11, 1931—June 10, 2017
Portland
July 1, 1962—June 11, 2017
Hood River
Jan. 2, 1944—June 16, 2017
Arthur Samuel (Sam)
Burford, 86, left this world
on June 10, 2017.
Sam, an only child, is
survived by his wife
of 62 years, Darlene
N. (Moore) Burford,
his dearly loved
daughters, Karen L.
(Burford) Williams
(son-in-law James
H.
Williams)
of
Shenandoah
Junction, WV and
Kay L. (Burford)
Wells (son-in-law
Yancey D. Wells)
of Mexico, NY;
and his treasured
grandchildren:
Jessica K. Williams,
Kassandra
J.
Williams, Brennan
J. Wells, Dusten S.
Wells and Logan M.
Wells.
Sam was born on
January 11, 1931, in
Sand Point, Idaho
and lived there with
his
grandparents
and
great-grand-
parents until the Burford
age of four. Sam’s
father eventually
moved with him to Oregon
where Sam attended grade
school and Hermiston High
School. After a year of
traveling across the USA
and working odd jobs as a
milkman, laborer and service
station attendant, Sam joined
the Army in 1950. Sam
was stationed in California,
Hawaii and Eniwetok, the
Marshall Islands, obtaining
the rank of sergeant until his
honorable discharge in 1953.
After being discharged
Sam moved back to Herm-
iston, married Darlene in
October 1954 and started a
family. He was employed
on the security force at the
Umatilla Army Depot until
1957. Sam had a deep respect
for the law and authority
and was fascinated by all
things to do with the law. He
devoted his career to excel-
ling in all aspects of law and
security enforcement and was
honored with many achieve-
ments, awards and certifi-
cates for always completing
and performing outstanding/
first-rate work. From 1957
to 1960 Sam worked as a
Deputy Sheriff in Umatilla
County. He returned to the
Umatilla Army Depot in
1960 as a security specialist.
In May of 1968 Sam
transferred from the Umatilla
Army Depot to work for
the U.S. Navy at Subic Bay
Naval Base, Subic Bay,
Philippines, along with his
wife Darlene and daughters,
Karen and Kay. The family
would end up calling Subic
Bay “home” and Sam and
Darlene lived in the Philip-
pines for over 15 years. Sam
was employed at the Provost
Marshal’s Office as Director
of Physical Security from
1968 until 1974.
He then transferred to
the Naval Supply Center
at Norfolk Naval Base in
Norfolk, Virginia, from 1974
until 1976 at which time he
and the family returned to
Subic Bay Naval Base, Phil-
ippines and a job as Director
of Security at the Naval
Supply Center at
which he remained
until he retired from
federal service on
January 2, 1987.
Upon retirement,
Sam and Darlene
returned to Oregon
where Sam then
was employed from
February 1987 until
December 1995 by
the Eastern Oregon
Correctional Insti-
tution in Pendleton,
Oregon.
In May of 1996
Sam and Darlene
relocated to Mexico,
New York to be near
both daughters and
his grandchildren.
Sam was an intelli-
gent, stand-up guy,
steadfast, sensible,
responsible, reliable
and thoughtful. Sam
had a passion for
reading and writing
which he happily
and
fortunately
passed on to Karen and
Kay. Whether it be reading
for pleasure or studying for
another certificate, he always
had a book or pen in hand.
He would often start a book
in the evening after work and
still be sitting in the same
chair, just finishing the last
chapter when his daughters
got up to get ready for school
the next morning — and then
go to work and do an excep-
tional job!
After moving to New
York, Sam enjoyed learning
to use the computer, corre-
sponding by email with his
daughters,
grandchildren
and friends, researching his
ancestors, and caring for
Kay’s farm animals.
Sam will be missed by
his barnyard buddies Frisco
the horse, Kitty Cat the cat,
Debbie the chicken and
Guinea the guinea hen. Sam
was preceded in death by his
mother Mildred Marie Hunt
Burford (November, 1911–
January 1931), Arthur James
Burford (July 1895-March
1980), Baby Burford (April
1961) and his four-legged
canine best friends, Maggie
and Wallie. Sam was always
there for his family no matter
what. His daughters are
heartbroken and it is with
incredible difficulty that
the family says goodbye to
someone whom they looked
up to, counted on and loved
so much.
Sam will be buried in
Fox Cemetery, Fox Oregon.
Services are at the conve-
nience of the family and will
be announced after details
have been finalized. Arrange-
ments are in the care of Harter
Funeral Home, Mexico NY.
“There will be peace in the
valley for me some day, there
will be peace in the valley for
me, oh Lord I pray, there’ll
be no sadness, no sorrow, no
trouble I’ll see, there will be
peace in the valley for me.”
Steve was born in Port-
land, Oregon and moved
to Alaska shortly after his
birth. After a couple of years
in Alaska, he spent
the remainder of
his childhood in
Eastern
Oregon,
primarily in Athena
and Pendleton. In
his youth Steve
excelled in sports,
mainly
Little
League baseball,
football and swim-
ming. He joined the
Army in 1980 and
served for 4 years.
He was stationed
in Germany for
the majority of that
time and won a
special commenda-
tion for saving the
life of an officer.
He spent most
of his adult years
living in the Port-
land, Oregon area.
Steve liked to
fix things and loved
helping others. He
spent most of his
working
career Ervin
installing acrylic
flooring for commercial
businesses. He got to travel
and work on some inter-
esting contracts including
cruise ships. He was well
known for helping others
with odd jobs — mowing
lawns, putting together cabi-
nets, moving heavy furniture
or hauling scrap on his bike.
He was an honest guy who
lived an honest life.
One of Steve’s most
amazing accomplishments
was teaching himself to use
nunchuks, a martial art that
was popularized in the U.S.
by actor Bruce Lee. After
seeing a movie at a friend’s
house when he was just 8
years old, Steve became
obsessed with learning this
martial art. His dad helped
him make his first set of
nunchuks and he spent
many hours throughout
his life developing this
skill. Remarkably he never
took a class in martial arts
and chose not to use the
nunchuks as weaponry. He
developed his craft into a
form of performance art. He
became so accomplished he
DEATH NOTICES
David Lazinka
Pilot Rock
March 2, 1965—June 22, 2017
David Lazinka, 52, of Pilot Rock, died Thursday, June
22, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. David was born on March 2,
1965 in Pendleton. Arrangements are pending with Pendleton
Pioneer Chapel, Folsom-Bishop. Online condolences may be
sent to www.pioneerchapel.com
Nicholas L. “Nick” Phillips
MONDAY, JUNE 26
LOTTERY
Thursday, June 22
Lucky Lines
4-7-10-13-20-23-25-31
Estimated jackpot:
$36,000
Pick 4
1 p.m.: 4-5-7-7
4 p.m.: 1-6-2-4
7 p.m.: 5-3-8-5
10 p.m.: 3-2-8-4
Friday, June 23
Pick 4
1 p.m.: 3-0-7-2
HEALTH DISTRICT, 7 p.m., Lex-
ington Town Hall, 425 F St., Lex-
ington. (541-676-9133)
TUESDAY, JUNE 27
WEST UMATILLA MOS-
QUITO CONTROL DISTRICT
MEETING, 3 p.m., West Umatilla
Mosquito Control District Office,
3005 S. First St., Hermiston.
Board of Trustee meeting (Janie
Cuellar 541-567-5201)
IONE SCHOOL DISTRICT,
3:30 p.m., Ione Community
School, 445 Spring St., Ione.
(541-422-7131)
MORROW COUNTY PLAN-
Dennis Smith, 73, of Hood
River, Oregon, passed away
Friday, June 16, 2017 at his
home surrounded by his loved
ones.
Dennis was born January
2, 1944, in Hood River,
Oregon to Charles and Betty
(Olson) Smith. He graduated
from Hood River
Valley High School
in 1962.
Dennis
was
always a natural
athlete with great
hand-eye
coor-
dination and a
cooperative spirit in
any contest. In grade
school, he caught
the most fish during
outings on Indian Smith
Creek, and he threw
the most touchdown
passes on the playground.
While sledding Jackson Park,
he knocked an annoying blue
jay out of the air with a snow-
ball on his first try.
When he got to high
school, he was the obvious
quarterback and point guard,
lettering three years in each
sport. His passes made both
his receivers, members of the
All-League Football Team.
His senior year, he led the
basketball team to HRHS’s
only trip to the state tourna-
ment in Coos Bay, upsetting
Seaside (then ranked #1 in
the state) to win the District
Championship,
dribbling
out the last 30 seconds of the
game while being chased by
three opponents.
He was a remarkable team-
mate, despite his substantial
personal athletic accomplish-
ments, he was quick to deflect
attention away from himself
to others. He was a loyal
friend.
In later years, he was a
proud father and grandfather.
Hood River, Oregon became
a little quieter on June 16 at
9:41 a.m.
Dennis was preceded
in death by father, Charles
Smith, mother, Betty Smith,
and sister, Phyllis Evens.
Dennis
is
survived by his
daughter,
Stacey
Barnes
(husband
Todd); son, Darren
Smith
(wife
Kimberly);
and
daughter,
Ashley
Fisher;
grand-
children, Brittany
Powell, Courtney
Fisher,
Sheldon
Barnes, Brennen
Fisher and Camp-
bell Smith.
A special thank you to
Terry and Donna Johnson
and their family for all of
their support, as well as Hood
River Providence Hospice of
the Gorge.
In lieu of flowers, dona-
tions can be made in honor
of Dennis to HRVHS (Attn:
HRVHS Athletics Depart-
ment 1220 Indian Creek Rd.,
Hood River, Oregon 97031).
A celebration of life
graveside service will be held
11 a.m. Friday June 23, 2017,
at Idlewilde Cemetery (980
Tucker Road, Hood River,
OR 97031).
Arrangements are under
the direction of Anderson’s
Tribute Center (Funerals •
Receptions • Cremations),
1401 Belmont Ave., Hood
River, Oregon 97031. Visit
www.AndersonsTribute-
Center.com to leave a note
of condolence for the family
and for updated service infor-
mation.
UPCOMING SERVICES
SATURDAY, JUNE 24
BALL-KISER, LAURIE — Celebration of life at 3 p.m. at
the First Christian Church, 775 W. Highland Ave., Hermiston.
CREASON, JOHN — Funeral service at 2 p.m. at
Columbia View Community Church, 1240 E. Highway 730,
Irrigon. Burial follows at Desert Lawn Memorial Cemetery,
Irrigon.
FRANKLIN, DAVID — Memorial service at 10 a.m. at St.
Andrew Catholic Church, 48022 St. Andrews Road, Mission.
Military services at noon at Skyview Memorial Park, 70116
S. Highway 395, Pendleton. Dinner and visiting follows at the
Jim Wallis residence.
JACKSON, BETTY — Remembrance gathering at 3 p.m.
at 301 N.E. First St., Pendleton.
LAMB, SUSAN — Celebration of life at 2 p.m. at The
Salvation Army church, 15 S.E. Emigrant Ave., Pendleton.
Food and fellowship will follow the service.
SATER, LARRY — Graveside funeral service at 11 a.m. at
the Hermiston Cemetery.
TEMPLE, TOMMIE — Celebration of life at noon at
the First Christian Church, 215 N. Main St., Pendleton. The
celebration continues at the Pendleton Eagles Lodge, 428 S.
Main St.
SUNDAY, JUNE 25
PITTS, MELODY — Celebration of life at 3 p.m. at the
Cowboy Church, 81012 Highway 395 North, Hermiston.
Hermiston
January 31, 1941—June 22, 2017
OBITUARY POLICY
Nicholas L. “Nick” Phillips was born on January 31, 1941
in Baker City, Oregon. He died on June 22, 2017 at his home in
Hermiston at the age of 76 years. A celebration of life service
will be held on Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 1:00 P.M. at Burns
Mortuary Chapel, Hermiston. Burial with military honors will
follow at the Hermiston Cemetery, Hermiston. Please sign
the online condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
The East Oregonian publishes paid obituaries. The obituary can
include small photos and, for veterans, a flag symbol at no charge.
Obituaries may be edited for spelling, proper punctuation and style.
Expanded death notices will be published at no charge. These include
information about services. Obituaries and notices can be submitted
online at www.eastoregonian.com/obituaryform, by email to obits@ea-
storegonian.com, by fax to 541-276-8314, placed via the funeral home
or in person at the East Oregonian office. For more information, call
541-966-0818 or 1-800-522-0255, ext. 221.
Court OKs trooper’s boarder-crossing traffic stop
MEETINGS
NIXYAAWII
COMMUNITY
SCHOOL BOARD, 4:30 p.m.,
Nixyaawii Community School,
73300 July Grounds Lane, Mis-
sion. (541-966-2680)
UMATILLA BASIN WA-
TERSHED COUNCIL, 6 p.m.,
Eastern Oregon Higher Educa-
tion Center, 975 S.E. Columbia
Drive, Hermiston. (Michael T.
Ward 541-276-2190)
HERMISTON CITY COUN-
CIL, 7 p.m., Hermiston City Hall
council chambers, 180 N.E. Sec-
ond St., Hermiston. (541-567-
5521)
MILTON-FREEWATER CITY
COUNCIL, 7 p.m., Milton-Free-
water Public Library Albee
Room, 8 S.W. EIghth Ave., Mil-
ton-Freewater. (541-938-5531)
IRRIGON
COMMUNITY
PARKS & RECREATION DIS-
TRICT, 7 p.m., Irrigon Fire Sta-
tion, 705 N. Main St., Irrigon.
(541-922-3047)
MORROW
COUNTY
was able to use two pairs of
nunchuks simultaneously —
one in each hand and could
even twirl them with the
sticks lit on fire.
Before his health
took away this
ability, his dream
was to perform at a
fundraiser to raise
money for kids
with cancer. His
family members
are working to
make this dream
come true.
Steve
passed
peacefully in his
sleep at home
following a five-
year battle with
Congestive Heart
Failure. His prog-
nosis was compli-
cated by kidney
cancer and the
removal of a kidney
two years ago. The
family is incredibly
grateful for the
hospice care he
received to relieve
his suffering in the
final weeks of his
life.
He is survived by his
parents: DeVonna May
Carlsen Cox and George
Elmer Cox of Portland,
Oregon and Richard Tracy
Ervin of Bouse, Arizona.
He is also survived by his
sisters — Devon Ervin
and Linda Ervin Minthorn
and their families and by
numerous
step-siblings,
cousins, aunts, uncles,
nieces, nephews, friends and
his beloved cat Whitey. His
long-time partner Myrna
Zarth preceded him in death
in September of 2004.
There will be a Celebra-
tion of his Life at Tabor-
space in Portland on July 15,
2017 from 2:30 - 4:30 pm.
All his family and friends
are welcome. He chose
cremation and his ashes will
be scattered at a later date
according to his wishes.
In lieu of flowers, please
make a donation in his name
to any charity that benefits
children with cancer. This
small act of kindness will
keep him alive in our hearts
and make his dream come
true.
NING COMMISSION, 7 p.m.,
Port of Morrow Riverfront Cen-
ter, 2 Marine Drive, Boardman.
(Stephanie Loving 541-922-
4624)
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28
MORROW
COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS,
9 a.m., Bartholomew Govern-
ment Building upper conference
room, 110 N. Court St., Heppner.
(Roberta Lutcher 541-676-9061)
HERMISTON
LIBRARY
BOARD, 4 p.m., Hermiston Pub-
lic Library, 235 E. Gladys Ave.,
Hermiston. (541-567-2882)
Associated Press
PORTLAND — The
Oregon Supreme Court has
reinstated the conviction
of a drunken driver who
contends a Washington
trooper acted beyond
his jurisdiction when he
stopped him in Oregon in
2011.
The decision reversed
a 2016 ruling from the
Oregon Court of Appeals.
According to court
documents, the trooper
began following James
Keller’s speeding car in
Washington — just north of
the Interstate Bridge — and
pulled him over in Oregon.
He requested assistance
from Portland police and
that agency completed the
DUI investigation.
In Thursday’s opinion,
the high court said the
trooper had probable
cause to stop Keller after
observing him commit
infractions in Washington.
He activated his emergency
lights as they were getting
ready to enter the bridge,
and pulled him over at the
earliest opportunity.
PENDLETON
4TH of JULY PARADE
AAA MEMBER
HOSTED BY THE PENDLETON VFW “LET’ ER BUCK” POST 922
A P P R E C I AT I O N
10 AM • Tuesday, July 4, 2017
THEME: “Salute to America’s Heroes”
ALASKA
STAGING AND LINE-UP:
Staging Area: Western Auto/Baxter Parking Lot • HORSE ENTRIES ONLY
Line-Up Area: SW Dorion Street • All entries need to be in position by 9:15.
ROUTE:
From City of Pendleton building on SW Dorion to Main Street to SW Court to the Convention Center
WHO MAY ENTER:
Any Individual, Organization or Business - ALL ARE WELCOME
ENTRY FORMS:
May be picked up at the Pendleton Chamber of Commerce, Dean’s Athletic,
DG Gifts, Elite Guns & Bows and the Pendleton Downtown Association 380 S. Main Street
You may also mail requests to VFW Post 922 • PO Box 787 • Pendleton, OR 97801
or email requests to: fbradbury@yahoo.com
Return entry forms to the Chamber, or email to Fred Bradbury
Questions? Call Fred Bradbury at 541-377-7474
JUDGING:
All Entries will receive a participation ribbon. Trophies will be awarded in the following 14 Categories:
MOTORIZED - Best Club • MOTORIZED - Judges’ Choice • BUSINESS/COMMERCIAL • FIRST RESPONDERS & ARMED
FORCES • PEOPLE WITH PETS • BAND / DRUM & BUGLE • YOUTH DANCE & DRILL GROUPS FLOATS • CIVIC GROUPS
& SERVICE CLUBS • YOUTH GROUPS • EQUESTRIAN (2 riders or less) EQUESTRIAN GROUPS
• EQUESTRIAN GROUPS - Royalty • HORSE & BUGGY/WAGON
In Addition, the VFW will award the “Patriot Trophy” to the entrant with the most overall votes
(Winner of Patriot Trophy not eligible for additional trophies)
CRUISE
September 9-16, 2017
Starting at $899*
Join us on this AAA Hosted Cruise, sailing out of Seattle’s scenic
Puget Sound aboard Holland America’s classic ms Eurodam.
Enjoy up to $50 shipboard credit per stateroom, an onboard
social reception, and other AAA surprises!
CALL OR VISIT AAA TODAY!
541.276.2243 | 1729 SW Court Avenue, Pendleton
*All pricing is per person, double occupancy, cruise only, and subject to change and availability. Air, transfers, fuel
surcharges, government taxes and fees are additional. Shipboard credit is up to $25 per person for a maximum of $50
per stateroom. Ships’ Registry: The Netherlands.