Tuesday, February 16, 2021
RECORDS
East Oregonian
A5
OBITUARIES
David Wayne Metz
Evan L. Larsen
Pendleton
October 5, 1951 — February 13, 2021
King City
March 10, 1934 — February 12, 2021
On February 13, 2021, his retirement in November
David passed away in his of 2018. During his time at
home with his beautiful bride Walmart, he earned numer-
by his side. David was diag- ous transportation safety
nosed with kidney cancer in awards. Prior to driving for
February of 2020
Walmart, he drove
for Viking. In 1993,
and fought hard
Viking awarded
to overcome this
him Outstanding
horrible disease.
Driver of the Year.
His fighting spirit
On April 19,
and positive atti-
tude inspired the
2009, David met
many lives he
his real-life prin-
cess and love
touched during his
illness. The focus
of his life, Judy
of this memoriam
Carol Norden.
Metz
will not be on his
They were set up
on a blind date by
illness. The focus
here forward will be squarely Ryan Cecil (their Cupid).
on the beautiful and witty Judy was princess of the fair
person that is David Wayne in Grant County, Oregon, in
Metz.
1970 and was affectionately
David Wayne Metz was referred to as “Princess” by
born in Amityville, New her “Loving Man.” The two
York, on October 5, 1951. wed on June 12, 2010, on the
His father, David Wittington Soggy Bottom Farm in Sheri-
Metz, was the sole provider dan, Oregon. It was one of the
and rock for David and his most beautiful days imagin-
two brothers. David was able. The two had waited an
the middle son, with older awfully long time to find each
brother James Wittington other. Each had the privilege
Metz and his baby brother of marrying their best friend.
Thomas “Pee Wee” Metz.
It was a life of love and fun.
As a boy growing up in Judy loves the humor and
Syosett, New York, David excitement that was brought
enjoyed raising bunny rabbits to her life. She would always
and being a prankster. He say “there is never a dull
always kept the people around moment.” Finding Dave was
him on their toes. David was greatest blessing in her life,
a hard worker. In his youth, and the feeling was more
he made money delivering than mutual. It was a beauti-
newspapers. He also worked ful union indeed.
with his father, who was a
Dave became stepfather
bricklayer. In his early adult- to Judy’s children Pamela
hood, he worked with his Ramsey, Timothy Stratton
father building McDonald’s and Sandra Egan. He also
restaurants up and down became Grandpa Dave to
the East Coast. His father Blake Ramsey, Elsa Soles
was also a police officer and (Ramsey), Kailee Failla,
investigator for the Nassau Claire Stratton, Cooper Strat-
County Police Department. ton, Sofia Egan, Tyson Egan,
David’s father modeled the Pierce Egan, Maverick Egan,
values of hard work, respon- Jax Egan and Ivy Egan. He
sibility, and having fun, all loved Judy’s kids and her
traits David inherited. There kids’ kids as his own. He took
was a distinct emphasis on his responsibility as husband,
having fun, which he always father and grandfather very
modeled brilliantly. When- seriously and became a strong
ever he walked into a room leader for the family. He was
or entered any type of estab- loving, forgiving, protective
lishment, David made his and most of all fun.
presence known and lit up the
David was preceded in
room with his humor and wit. death by his father David
In 1969, David graduated “Dave” Wittington Metz and
from Syosset High School. older brother James Witting-
In 1970, he joined the Syosett ton Metz. David is survived
Fire Department and served by his beautiful wife Judy
as a volunteer until 1982. His Norden Metz, younger
younger brother, Pee Wee, brother Pee Wee, children
also served as a volunteer and grandchildren, nieces
and reminisces fondly of the and nephews, beloved sisters-
firehouse antics he and David in-law Kathy and Bruce, and
engaged in.
too many friends to count.
As a young man, David His closest pals are Kerry
had a love for fast cars, Amer- Kipps and Steve “Gabby”
ican muscle. In later years he Lefore.
David was a faithful
moved on to a love of luxury
automobiles, such as Cadillac supporter of St. Jude’s Chil-
and Mercedes-Benz.
dren’s Hospital. In his honor,
Another love of David’s it is asked that donations be
is the New York Stock made to this organization, in
Exchange. We are certain he his name, in lieu of sending
is still monitoring the market flowers. To donate, please
visit www.stjude.org.
from Heaven.
One of David’s other
There will be an intimate,
prominent traits was coming informal service held at
up with clever nicknames for Pendleton Pioneer Chapel on
February 17, 2021, at 3 p.m.
all his loved ones.
In 1981, David started a The address is 131 S.E. Byers
career as a truck driver, or Ave., Pendleton, OR 97801.
transportation engineer, if The service will be led by
you will. Truck driving took Chaplain Rick Oliver. Chap-
him to the West Coast. He lain Oliver has been an amaz-
lived for several years in the ing support to our family, and
state of California, but ulti- we are forever grateful.
mately settled in Oregon.
Share online condolences
He drove for Walmart for 17 with the family at www.
years, starting in 2001 until pioneerchapel.com.
Evan L. Larsen passed served as service missionaries
away suddenly at his home in at Deseret Industries and then
King City, Oregon, on Friday, in the Portland LDS Temple.
He is survived by his wife,
Feb. 12, 2021.
He was born March 10, Virginia Larsen of King City,
1934, in Centerfield,
Oregon; his daugh-
Utah, to Glen J.
ters Debra (Darwin)
Larsen and Roberta
Rasmussen of
Fjeldsted Larsen.
Tualatin, Oregon,
He was the third of
Christine (Duane)
five children. Their
Baxter Wood of
family lived in Ely,
Pendleton, Oregon,
Nevada, then La
Carol (Tom) Pres-
ton of Pendleton
Grande, Oregon.
He graduated from
Oregon, and Teri
La Grande High
(Jim) Dunlop of
School in 1952.
Larsen
Aloha, Oregon;
Evan married
21 grandchildren;
his high school sweetheart, 45 great-grandchildren; two
Virginia Brown, on August great-great-grandchildren;
15, 1952. They are the parents his aunts Bea Fjeldsted,
Veon Fjeldsted and Caro-
of four daughters.
In 1965, they moved to lyn Harris; his sisters-in-law
Pendleton, Oregon. Evan and Peggy Taylor, Dawn Larsen
his brother, Darvell, went into and Marie Larsen Baker; and
business owning Penland many nieces, nephews and
Bros. Moving Co., later renam- cousins.
ing it to Larsen Transfer Co.
Evan is preceded in death
Evan also owned and operated by his parents, Glen and
the Pendleton Bowling Lanes Roberta Larsen; his broth-
from 1975 to 1985.
ers Dale Larsen, Darvell (and
He was an avid Trailblazer Maxine) Larsen and Roger
fan. He loved to bowl and golf. Larsen; his sister Sharon (and
He played a lot of basketball Ralph) Nelson; his son-in-law
and softball in his youth, and Duane Baxter; granddaugh-
was invited to play on a semi- ter Lori Baxter; and nephew
Derek Nelson.
pro basketball team.
He was a member of The
Due to pandemic only a
Church of Jesus Christ of family service will be held.
Latter-day Saints all his life. Interment will be at the Grand-
After retiring he moved to view Cemetery in La Grande,
Portland where he and Virginia Oregon.
UPCOMING SERVICE
TUESDAY, FEB. 16
No services scheduled
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 17
METZ, DAVID — Informal service at 3 p.m. at Pend-
leton Pioneer Chapel, Folsom-Bishop, 121 S.E. Byers Ave.,
Pendleton.
THURSDAY, FEB. 18
No services scheduled
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Richard Tracy ‘Dick’ Ervin
Bouse, Arizona
January 2, 1934 — December 16, 2020
Richard Tracy
(Dick) Ervin died
on December
16, 2020, from
COVID-19 in a
hospital in Las
Vegas, Nevada. He was 86.
Dick was born on Janu-
ary 2, 1934 (1-2-34), in Prai-
rie City, Oregon, to Tracy
Edward and Elsie Adelia
Bacheldor Ervin. He is
survived by his current wife,
Darlene Huckaby; his third
wife, LaVarre Hibl; and by
his first wife, DeVonna
May Cox, and their chil-
dren Devon Ervin and Linda
Minthorn. He was preceded
in death by his son, Steven
Ervin, and his second wife,
Betty Jean Ervin. He is also
survived by his sister Janice
Lay, her husband Kerry Lay,
and their family.
He is su r vived by
six grandchildren: Alex
Ransom, Alec Tur ner,
Whitney Minthorn, Chelsey
Minthorn, Lienne Miller and
Malaya Miller, as well as
their partners and families.
Dick was born and raised
in Eastern Oregon. He grad-
uated from Baker High
School in 1952 and then
served four years in the Navy
— stationed at the airbase in
Fallon, Nevada. He served
as an aerial photographer.
After the Navy, he moved
to Alaska where he lived
with his first wife and two
children. He then migrated
back to Eastern Oregon
where his third child was
born. He especially loved
the area around Dayville
where his parents lived and
are now buried. In his life-
time, in addition to Oregon,
Alaska and Nevada, he also
lived in Idaho, California and
Arizona.
Dick loved small-town
life. Being part of a commu-
nity was important and
sustaining for him. He was
a hard worker with a strong
work ethic. He worked a lot
of different jobs over the
years, always with his eye
on buying a small farm.
When he finally did buy
a farm outside of Pendle-
ton, Oregon, he continued
to work to make ends meet
and to be able to maintain
connections. He loved farm-
ing and he loved animals and
always seemed to have a job
that allowed him to chat with
people or tend to animals.
His favorite job was working
as an animal health specialist
for Pendleton Grain Growers
in Eastern Oregon.
Dick loved playing the
fiddle and listening to fiddle
music. He learned to play
the violin as a child and
continued playing
throughout his life.
He was a member
of the Blue Moun-
tain Old Time
Fiddlers Associa-
tion and, after retiring, spent
many years traveling around
the western states playing
in jams. When not travel-
ing, he played in jams with
friends, often several times
per week. These music jams
were a large part of his sense
of community.
Dick also loved storytell-
ing. He loved talking up a
storm to anybody and every-
body and was often late to
everything as a result.
Dick loved building
things and fixing things
and encouraged his kids to
be creative and find ways to
do more with less. He was a
recycler before recycling was
a thing. He was thrifty and
energetic. He wanted a boat,
so he built his own canoe.
He wanted a fence, so he
upcycled an old picket fence
that had been torn down.
He wanted to raise chickens
for eggs, so he built a large
chicken coop. He raised
cattle for beef, chickens for
eggs, and alfalfa for his cows
and horses. He loved living
close to the land. He liked to
fish and camp and, as he got
older, loved camp hosting
while traveling around the
Pacific Northwest in an RV.
Dick was someone who
believed in serving his
community and his coun-
try. In addition to serving
in the Navy, he served in the
Naval Reserve for a number
of years, was a volunteer fire-
fighter, was active in the PTA
when his kids were young,
was active in Future Farm-
ers of America, served as a
deacon in several churches,
and served on many commit-
tees in various organizations.
Dick fell in love with
western Arizona after retir-
ing. He spent winters in
Arizona for many years and
then eventually became a
permanent resident, travel-
ing to cooler places in an RV
in the heat of the summer.
He lived in the small
community of Bouse in west-
ern Arizona at the time of his
death. His plan was to return
to his homeland in Eastern
Oregon in December 2020 to
be closer to his family. Those
plans were unfortunately cut
short by his illness and death.
In lieu of flowers, please
consider a donation to the
Blue Mountain Old Time
Fiddlers Association or any
music-related program.
A memorial service will
be held at a later date.
Walter Woodrow Smith
Pendleton
January 27, 2000 — February 10, 2021
Walter Woodrow Smith every day.
Walt is survived by his
reluctantly entered this
world at 5:30 a.m. on Janu- mother, father and brother.
ary 27, 2000. Julie and Timo- He leaves behind a large
thy Smith welcomed him extended family: Vesta and
with all the love they could Jim Smith, paternal grand-
parents; Jennifer
possibly give and
and Dave Carter,
named him after
Tim’s grandfather.
p at e r n a l a u nt
He was a curious
and uncle; Kathy
Leff ler, mater-
and bright child.
nal grandmother;
He welcomed a
Lloyd and Lois
brother, James
(Jim) Smith, to the
Piercy, maternal
family in 2004.
grandparents; and
Wa l t e r h a d
Amy and Blake
a dry and sharp
Ambridge, Gina
Smith
wit. Underneath
and Bob Tyhuis,
his stoic presence
Angel Ledesma,
was a playful, smart, tender- Jared and Colleen Piercy,
hearted young man with Tiffany and Derek Bruehl,
huge dreams. Walter made Sara and David McGuire,
this world a better place. Brie and Brian VanCleave,
Tragically, we lost Walt and and Christian Leffler, mater-
two other young souls in a nal aunts and uncles. Walt had
car accident on February 10. a whole host of cousins who
He and a group of cowork- will miss him as well. His
ers from Mt. Hood Meadows family will mourn his loss
were heading to the beach for for their remaining time on
a birthday celebration. Walt’s this earth.
two favorite places were the
Walter Smith was a kind-
mountains and the beach. hearted, giving young man
His immediate and extended who gave what he could to
family mourns, along with make this world a better
two other families who lost place in his short time here.
their children that day.
His family wants to thank
Walter took pride in being their friends and commu-
part of the Pendleton High nity for wrapping their arms
School FIRST Robotics around them during this diffi-
Championship Team from cult time.
A memorial service will
its inception. He had a rich
community of close friends be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday,
in Pendleton and in the online February 20, 2021, at Peace
realm. He loved computers Lutheran Church. Attendance
and computing but was really will be limited because of
just beginning to know what COVID but will stream live.
he wanted out of life. He loved
Share online condolences
working at Mt. Hood Mead- with the family at www.
ows and being on Mt. Hood pioneerchapel.com.
James A. McAlavy
Helix
December 20, 1938 — February 12, 2021
Graveside service for
James A. McAlavy will be
Friday, February 19, at 2 p.m.
at the Helix Cemetery.
James Alfred McAlavy
was born December 20,
1938, in Pendleton, Oregon,
to Frank C. and Ruth (Schil-
ling) McAlavy. Jim passed
away February 12 in Walla
Walla, Washington.
Jim attended school in
Helix, graduating in 1958. He
worked at Brogoitti Ranch in
Helix, retiring in 2000.
He is su r vived by
his brothers Guy (Edie)
McAlavy and Ray (Karon)
McAlavy; nieces Terri
McA lav y a nd Cher yl
McAlavy; and grand-neph-
ews Kenny McAlavy-Es-
toy and Trevor Rhodes. Jim
was preceded in death by
his parents, Frank and Ruth
McAlavy.
In lieu of flowers, dona-
tions may be made to the
Helix Church.
Arrangements are with
Pendleton Pioneer Chapel,
Folsom-Bishop. Share online
condolences with the family
at www.pioneerchapel.com.
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