RECORDS
Thursday, December 31, 2020
East Oregonian
A5
OBITUARIES
Donald Byron Thompson
James Henry ‘Jim’ Carey
Alverda White
Pendleton
March 15, 1932 — November 28, 2020
Pilot Rock
July 19, 1935 — December 26, 2020
Pendleton
March 9, 1928 — December 17, 2020
Donald Byron
was able to attend
Thompson, 88, of
classes and earn
Pendleton, passed
licenses in aircraft
away on Nov. 28,
maintenance, and
2020. He was born
served a stint as
in Halfway, Ore-
squadron mainte-
gon, on March 15,
nance officer.
1932, to Robert
Don
retired
Dolliver Thomp-
from the Guard as
son and Thelma
a lieutenant col-
onel in 1979, and
Elmer Thompson.
the family moved
Don was proud
back to Oregon,
of his Pine Valley
settling in Mil-
roots, and spoke
t o n - Fr e e w a t e r.
often of boyhood
Don served as
events and expe-
riences. He intro-
Thompson
Cascade Airways’
duced his five
director of air-
craft maintenance
children to adven-
tures on family
in Walla Walla for
property at Sum-
a time, and later
mit Creek, above
in that capacity
Halfway, complete
for several other
with cabin stays,
regional airlines.
Jeep rides, explor-
In 1985, he joined
ing, fishing, huck-
Federal Express,
leberries, Grand-
returning to his
dad stories, and
coveted role as
beautiful moun-
pilot. Early on, he
tain setting.
covered various routes, and
Don attended schools also served as check pilot,
mainly in Pine Valley, hiring agent, and liaison to
but also in Baker and La Corporate for several years.
Grande, as determined by
Eventually his route
the winter schedules of his evolved into a Pendleton-La
father, a Union Pacific Rail- Grande-Spokane run of
road engineer. His junior many years’ duration. He
and senior years were spent retired in June 2006, with
at Baker High School. There 21 years and many hours of
he played varsity basket- FedEx flying to his credit.
ball and set records in track Company pilots continued
for high jump, pole vault to call upon him for advice
and hurdles that remained on aircraft and engine mat-
unbroken for a number of ters. He felt blessed to have
years. He was awarded the lived his aviation dreams.
Outstanding Athlete of the Some among you may
Year trophy at the close of also remember his unique
his senior year, in 1950. approach to landings at
Here, also, he met his future Pendleton airport.
His early fondness for
wife, Carol Weaver.
Don earned a track schol- horses developed into a
arship to Oregon State Col- major interest in “natu-
lege, where he also competed ral horsemanship.” He was
in basketball. He was a mem- an avid student of its tech-
ber of Sigma Nu fraternity. niques, and was frequently
After his sophomore year, called upon to conduct
he entered the Air Force’s demonstrations. In retire-
aviation cadet program and ment, Don was able to
learned to fly, a skill that devote many happy hours
had been a dream since his to the further care and train-
boyhood. This launched his ing of his four favored-breed
21-year military career as Morgan horses — Van-
a pilot, first with the Stra- guard, Foremost, Landmark
tegic Air Command on the and Boogie.
As his health declined,
KC135 jet tanker, and later
the Washington Air National visits with friends and fam-
Guard, flying F102 and F101 ily were increasingly trea-
sured. In the recent past,
aircraft.
In January 1958, he and it was also one of his great
Carol were married in Boise, pleasures to watch his
Idaho. Loring AFB, Maine, youngest grandson, Lane
was their home until 1961, Maher, compete for Pend-
when Don left active service leton High School in bas-
and they returned to Oregon. ketball and track events,
He operated a flying ser- the sports that had fig-
vice in Halfway for several ured prominently in Don’s
years, gaining mountain and history.
Don is survived by
back-country experience,
including remote short land- Carol, his wife of nearly 63
ing strips. This proved use- years; four children, Kris-
ful when he next accepted a tin Thompson, Boise, Idaho,
position as company pilot for Dr. Erik (Lilinda) Thomp-
Sunshine Mining Company, son, Meridian, Idaho, Julie
with its silver properties in Maher, Walla Walla, Wash-
challenging locations. The ington, and Sonia (Mark)
family became Spokane res- Eggert, Bend; nine grand-
children; five great-grand-
idents for the next 15 years.
Don discovered the Wash- children; brother and sister-
ington Air National Guard in in-law, Carroll and Benita
1965, and embarked upon a Thompson, Halfway, Ore-
14-year career with the 116th gon; sisters-in-law, Connie
Fighter/Interceptor Squad- Weaver and Shirley Weaver,
ron. It was a great fit for his both of Boise; brother-in-
skill set and personality. On law, Jim Smith, Anchorage,
the occasion of Carol’s birth- Alaska; and several cousins,
day in 1969, he was forced to nephews and nieces. He was
bail out of a crippled F102, predeceased by a daughter,
with debris and pilot land- Karin Thompson, in July,
ing in a field west of Spo- 2020; sister-in-law, Karen
kane. His injuries grounded Smith; and brother-in-law,
him for seven months. Time, Wendell Weaver.
therapy and determination
A memorial gathering for
returned him to the cockpit Don and Karin will be held
and the air for another 10 Air at a later date.
Guard years. He never again
Online condolences may
forgot Carol’s birthday! be sent to www.pioneer-
During his Guard years, he chapel.com.
James
Henry
(Jim) the community suggested he
Carey of Pilot Rock, Ore- run for sheriff. He was suc-
gon, a beloved husband, cessful in his campaign and
father, brother, grandfa- served as ssheriff for Uma-
ther and great-grandfather, tilla County for four terms,
passed away on
having had to
Saturday, Dec. 26,
resign in his fourth
2020, after reach-
term due to health
ing the age of 85.
concerns. He con-
After months of
sidered his time in
failing health, he
law enforcement
died
peacefully
as one of the most
enriching times
in his home with
his beloved wife
of his life, par-
ticularly his time
Jackie by his side.
with the Pendle-
Jim was born
Carey
ton P.D. under the
on July 19, 1935,
direction of Chief
in Prineville, Ore-
gon, to Anthony Wayne and Gallagher.
Helen Carey, together with
In 1985, Jim married the
an older sister by six years, love of his life, Jackie Ras-
Lois. A few years after he mussen. Jackie brought two
was born, his family moved children to the marriage,
to Ontario, Oregon, and Kimberly and Dustin. Jim
five years later returned to considered these children
to be his own and felt privi-
Prineville.
As a young boy, Jim’s leged to help raise them.
Jim considered family his
parents struggled to make
ends meet and he recalled most precious treasure and
living in a camp trailer with enjoyed all family gather-
his parents and four of his ings particularly Thanksgiv-
five siblings. He would tell ing. He also initiated a “Blue
the story of his mom set- Bloods” dinner on Sundays.
ting the five children outside Those of you that watch the
while she was inside making show “Blue Bloods” know
the beds for the evening; the exactly what we are talking
woman was a saint. Approx- about. His daughter, Tami,
imately 18 months after and family continue this tra-
Jim’s birth, his brother Bill dition to date.
Jim is preceded in death
was born, or should we say
his comrade in arms with by two infant brothers, Rus-
Jim in the lead. Next came sell Blair Carey and Gerald
his beautiful sisters, Shir- Wayne Carey; his parents,
ley and DeVonna. Shirley Wayne and Helen Carey; his
was the quiet, sweet one and sister, Lois Allen (Don); and
DeVonna was the one Jim his brother and comrade-in-
would like to pick on unmer- arms, Bill Carey.
cifully. Many years later, his
Jim is survived by his
youngest sister Cheryl was loving wife, Jackie Carey
born.
of Pilot Rock, Oregon; his
Jim became an elite foot- daughter, Banita Tweet (Jim)
ball player for the Crook of Eatonville, Washington,
County Cowboys and helped and their children, Andrea,
to lead his team to two state Travis and Kevin and five
championships his junior and great-grandchildren;
his
senior years. He was asked daughter, Paula Hascall
to continue playing football of Roseberg, Oregon, and
in college, but because of her son, Justin Hascall; his
his circumstances, he didn’t daughter, Tami Peterson
believe this was possible (Larry) of Nampa, Idaho,
and quit high school shortly and their two children, Mat-
after his senior year football thew and Jacob; his sister,
Shirley Templeton (Brad) of
season.
Jim somewhat lived Eugene, Oregon, DeVonna
on the wild side. He often Brown (Jack-deceased) of
shared the story of the time Toledo, Oregon, and Cheryl
his team was on the bus Strauss (Joe) of Ellenton,
when the coach (driver) Florida; and a host of nieces,
stepped off the bus to com- nephews and other beloved
plete a chore. Jim jumped friends and family.
into the driver’s seat and
A service will be held on
proceeded to drive the bus Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020, at
around the block with the 1 p.m. at the Life Church
coach chasing behind them. (formerly
Presbyterian
In the early 1950s, Jim Church) in Pilot Rock, fol-
married his first wife, Lillian lowed by a burial at the Pilot
Pierce, and they had three Rock cemetery and a recep-
daughters, Banita, Paula and tion immediately after at the
Tami. Before Tami was born, Life Church. Everyone is
the family moved in search welcome.
Jim was a strong, proud
of a job to Eastern Oregon
and finally settled in Pilot and good man. He is loved
Rock. Jim started in one of and will be missed by many.
For those who wish, you
the mills in Pilot Rock and
in 1969-1970 he started his may make memorial con-
career in law enforcement tributions in Jim’s name to
with the Pilot Rock P.D. He Pioneer Humane Society
then began working with the (PAWS) at 517 S.E. Third St.
Umatilla County Sheriff’s (P.O. Box 1876), Pendleton,
OR 97801; www.pendleton-
Department as a detective.
After a few years with paws.org.
Online condolences may
the sheriff’s department, he
began working for the Pend- be sent to www,pioneer-
leton P.D. when members of chapel.com.
Alverda White passed had no interest in driving
away peacefully in her a car, so all of her life she
home on Dec. 17. She was walked. All of her shop-
ping and errands were done
92 years old.
Alverda was born on on foot. She walked every
day, well into her
March 9, 1928,
later years. She
to parents Fran-
cis and Blanche
attributed
her
health and longev-
Thorne. She was
ity to her many
the oldest of four
years of vigorous
siblings,
Rich-
ard Ray Thorne
walking.
Alverda was
(deceased), John
always incredibly
Emory
Thorne
dedicated to her
of Pilot Rock
family. She was
and James Levi
White
the best daughter,
Thorne of Walla
sister, aunt, grand-
Walla.
Alverda married Jack mother and mother that she
White in 1954, and they could possibly be. She will
had two daughters, Kathy remain a remarkable exam-
and Mary White. Alverda ple of kindness, generosity,
was an incredible mother empathy and great strength
to her daughters, and later that we will continue to
an incredible grandmother aspire to. Our lives have
to her grandsons, Chad and been greatly enriched her
love.
Christopher.
Services will be held at
For over 30 years,
Alverda worked at the Pend- Pendleton Pioneer Chapel
leton Woolen Mills factory, on Jan. 9 at 10 a.m.
Online condolences may
from where she retired in
1998. She walked to and be sent to www.pioneer-
from work every day. She chapel.com.
William E. West
Arlington
May 9, 1933 — December 24, 2020
On Thursday, Dec. 24,
William E. West, loving
husband and father of three
children, passed away at age
87.
Bill was born May 9,
1933, at Mikkalo, Oregon,
to Alvin and Neva West.
He spent his life enjoying
the love of family, ranching,
making music, fishing and
hunting.
He was a kind and gentle
man loved by many.
Bill was preceded in
death by his father, Alvin,
his mother, Neva, and broth-
ers, Jim and Doug. He is
survived by his wife, Bar-
bara; his three children,
Randy, Holly and Mitchell;
his brother, Jack; 11 grand-
children; 10 great-grand-
children; and several cous-
ins, nieces and nephews.
Bill’s immediate family
held a graveside service at
the Arlington, Oregon, cem-
etery on Tuesday, December
29, 2020.
Memorial contributions
may be made to Pioneer
Memorial Hospital, P.O.
Box 9, Heppner, OR 97836.
Sweeney
Mortuary
of Heppner is in care of
arrangements. You may sign
the online condolence book
at www.sweeneymortuary.
com.
Judi Darlene Minkler
Pendleton
January 18, 1945 — December 21, 2020
Judi Darlene Minkler husband of 29 years, Dave
passed away on Dec. 21, Minkler; children, Scott
2020, at St. Anthony Hos- Meadows (Marlene), Chad
pital in Pendleton, Oregon. Meadows (Tylene), Chet
She was born in Ever- Meadows (Sherri), Jonie
ett, Washington,
Mills
(Travis)
on Jan. 18, 1945,
and Tony Min-
kler (Jessica); sis-
to Siever and
ter, Peg Hartsock;
Beatrice Bunch.
brother,
Dan
Judi
graduated
Bunch; 17 grand-
from
Arling-
ton High School,
children;
three
Arlington, Wash-
great-grandchil-
ington, in 1963.
dren; and numer-
ous nieces and
Judi came to
nephews.
Eastern Oregon in
Minkler
She was pre-
1969 and worked
ceded in death by
for Smith Fro-
zen Foods before acquir- her parents, and stepsons,
ing her cosmetology license Mark Meadows and Grant
and opening The Hair Shop Minkler.
in Athena. Her beautician
A private family get-to-
work allowed her to express gether will be held when
her creative side and work the flowers bloom up the
with the many loyal patrons river.
Donations in her mem-
in the community. She
developed many friend- ory may be made to Pend-
ships over the years.
leton PAWS.
Her passions were her
Arrangements are with
art, her animals, and fam- Pendleton Pioneer Chapel,
ily gatherings at the river Folsom-Bishop.
Online
property.
condolences may be sent to
Judi is survived by her www.pioneerchapel.com.
James Douglas Stroud
Linda Jo Stroud
Ukiah
December 8, 1938 — December 25, 2020
September 25, 1941 — December 25, 2020
James Douglas Stroud
and Linda Jo (Bowie) Stroud
left this world together on
Dec. 25, 2020, as the life
partners that they had been
since their wedding day on
Nov. 4, 1961, in Hood River,
Oregon.
Doug was born in Stock-
ton, California, to James
Herbert Stroud and Ber-
tha Belle (Butts) Stroud on
Dec. 8, 1938, while Linda
Jo (Bowie) Stroud came
into this world on Sept. 25,
1941, in Hood River, Ore-
gon, to Philip Nolan Bowie
and Emma Lucinda (Wilson)
Bowie.
They met, fell in love
and married in Hood River,
where their first son, Bryan
Douglas Stroud, was born.
Jobs and opportunities came
over the years, as did a grow-
ing family with two more
sons, David Allan Stroud
and Loren Gene Stroud, and
the family was completed
with a daughter, Tamara Kay
Stroud.
Doug spent much of his
career working in various
positions for the city of Walla
Walla, Washington, and then
later relocated to Ukiah,
Oregon, when he went into
semi-retirement while driv-
ing bus for the local school
district as a follow-on to
being a bus driver at the Ath-
ena-Weston School District.
Linda spent the majority
of their 59 years together as
a homemaker, but also spent
time working at St. Anthony
Hospital in Pendleton, Ore-
gon, for approximately 25
years prior to her retirement.
Doug enjoyed dry fly fish-
ing, amateur (ham) radio
operation, and metal detect-
ing, and operated a weather
station in Ukiah. Linda was
an avid reader with a partic-
ular fondness for true crime
novels, and enjoyed col-
lecting recipes. They both
enjoyed the natural settings
in the Pacific Northwest, be
they mountains or coastal,
where they spent nearly all
their lives. They also took
great satisfaction in hosting
a series of foreign exchange
students in their home, many
of whom kept in touch after
returning to their home
countries. They were active
members in their commu-
nity church where Doug also
served as a deacon.
Their legacy includes five
grandchildren and many
friends who mourn their sud-
den passing.
Arrangements are in the
care of Pendleton Pioneer
Chapel,
Folsom-Bishop.
Share online condolences
with the family at www.pio-
neerchapel.com.
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