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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (May 29, 2019)
A2 FAMILY Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, May 29, 2019 OBITUARIES BIRTHS James Donald Douglass David Malcolm Abarr Paityn Lynn Winters Aug. 29, 1943 — May 22, 2019 James Donald Douglass, 75, of John Day passed away May 22 at Valley View Assisted Living. Don, as he was known by most, was born in Detroit, Michigan, on Aug. 29, 1943, to James and Noxie Anne (Granger) Douglass. He was a metal smith professor at Boise State University for 35 years until his retirement. Don enjoyed fl y-fi shing, bird hunting and riding horses. His passion for horses led him to meet the love of his life, Lee Ann Kangas, with whom he’d spend the next 20 years. Don served as a director of the Idaho Tennessee Walking Horse Club for many years. His hobbies included making one-of-a-kind handcrafted jewelry, which he is very well known for. Don is survived by his life partner, Lee Ann Kangas of Mt. Vernon, Oregon; and his sister, Julia Young of Skokie, Illinois. To light a candle in honor of Don or to leave an online condolence for the family, please visit driskillmemorial- chapel.com. Dec. 26, 1931 — May 22, 2019 David Malcolm Abarr, 87, passed away May 22 at his home in John Day. He was born in Carmel, Califor- nia, on Dec. 26, 1931, and raised by his loving parents, Ed and Vir- ginia (Dutcher) Abarr. He graduated in 1946 and joined the United States Air Force where he was enlisted from 1957-1960. David loved his job as a fi re- fi ghter and served as a fi reman with the Clark County Fire Department in Las Vegas, Nevada, for 30 years before retiring in 1986. David settled in John Day after retirement and married Lana Immoos in Lake Tahoe on Oct. 19, 1990. He enjoyed jazz music, reading and watching movies about the history of World War II, fl ying his remote-con- trol airplanes he would build himself, camping, fi shing and restoring his 1956 Chevy Townsman station wagon. He was also a member of the Grant County Kruzers. One of his biggest joys in life was babysitting his grandson, Gage Immoos, from just weeks old until he was school age. He was loved by everyone he met and will be truly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Lana Abarr of John Day, Oregon; son, Mark Abarr of Glendale, Arizona; stepchil- dren, Angie Crawford of Redmond, Oregon, Steve Craw- ford of Mosier, Oregon, Mark (Lucie) Immoos of Can- yon City, Oregon, and Bill Immoos of John Day, Oregon; seven grandchildren; fi ve great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Vir- ginia Abarr; brother, Robin Abarr; and sisters, Dorothy Bowman (Smith) and Jackie Izanilli (Abarr). Contributions may be made to Blue Mountain Hospice through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd, John Day, OR 97845. To offer online condolences to the family, please visit driskillmemorialchapel.com. Paityn Lynn Winters, 3 pounds, 11 ounces, was born at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, at the NICU center at Kadlec Regional Medical Center, Richland, Washington, to Matika Long and Dillon Winters of Kennewick, Washington, formerly of John Day. Fraternal grandpar- ents are Daniel Winters of John Day and grandmother Tamora Bry- ant of Finley, Washington. Mater- nal grandparents are Mitch Long of John Day and grandmother Christina L. Long, deceased, formerly of Haines and John Day. Monte Lee Gibson Oct. 4, 1959 – May 16, 2019 Monte Lee Gibson, 59, of John Day passed away on May 16. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Per his wishes, he will be cremated. Monte was born Oct. 4, 1959, in Weiser, Idaho, to Wil- liam Frank “Smokey” and Irma Louise “Lucy” Gibson. He attended Grant Union High School in John Day. Shortly after, he married Jackie Osborne and together they had a son, Christopher. He went on to serve four years in the United States Navy. After the Navy, Monte worked as a butcher for many years. He later married Shawna (Elliott) Gibson in John Day. Monte enjoyed hunting, hiking, fi shing and spending time with his grandkids. He was preceded in death by his father, William “Smokey” Gibson. He is survived by his wife, Shawna Gibson, of John Day; sons, Jeramy Gibson and Christopher Gibson, both of John Day; stepson, Brandon Elliott, of John Day; mother, Lucy Gibson, of Baker City; sisters, Lori Gibson, Becky Jenison and Ginger and Corey Younger; many nieces and nephews; and six grandchildren. Bjerte ‘BJ’ Williams Bjerte “BJ” Williams, 87, of Seneca passed away May 24 at her residence. Arrangements have been entrusted to Driskill Memorial Chapel. To leave an online condolence, visit driskillmemorialchapel.com. ‘A Portrait of America’ The Eagle/Angel Carpenter The Grant Union grade 7-12 choir, led by director Levana James, is joined by the John Day-based bluegrass band Superlative. The group performs “As We Travel Down The Road” by Philip James during a May 21 concert titled “A Portrait of America.” The Grant Union junior and senior bands and the Humbolt Elementary sixth-grade band and choir also performed several selections. Mental Health First Aid trainings available Blue Mountain Eagle In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc., is spreading the word about services that can help when someone is expe- riencing a mental health cri- sis, including Mental Health First Aid. A public education pro- gram, MHFA helps people across the community to recognize risk factors and warning signs of mental ill- nesses, builds understand- ing of their impact and gives an overview of supports that can make a difference. The eight-hour course uses roleplaying and simula- tions to demonstrate how to offer initial help in a poten- tial emerging mental health crisis, and connect people to the appropriate professional, peer, social and self-help care. Those interested in the Ineta Gai Carpenter Ineta Gai Carpenter, 83, of John Day died Monday, May 27, in St. George, Utah. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 8, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in John Day. Arrangements are in the care of Driskill Memorial Chapel in John Day. May is Older Americans Month Blue Mountain Eagle May is Older Ameri- cans Month, and Commu- nity Connection of North- east Oregon is promoting ways community mem- bers can help Grant County thrive. The organization encourages everyone to attend the John Day, Prairie City and Monument senior centers and to connect by participating in social activities, to create by developing a fi tness plan and to contribute by volunteering. As volunteers, employ- ees, employers, educators, mentors and advocates, older Americans offer insight and experience that benefi t the entire community. As of July 1, U.S. Cen- sus estimates are that 29.6 percent of the population of Grant County is age 65 or older, compared to 17.1 percent for the state of Oregon and 15.6 percent nationally. program can reach out to GOBHI for information on attending, or even hosting, a training in their own com- munity. The trainings are available at limited or no cost, depending on specifi c agency or site needs. Staff can connect those interested with either a GOBHI instructor or other instructors in the community. Call 541-298-2101 or email erust@gobhi.org. For details, visit gobhi.org/programs/ mental-health-fi rst-aid. GOBHI also part- ners with Eastern Oregon Healthy Living Alliance. EOHLA has available resources to support costs and various materials related to MHFA trainings in the region. Those interested in work- ing with EOHLA to provide a training in Eastern Oregon can contact Alanna Chamu- lak at 541-219-2397 or John Adams at 541-219-0907. Dennis Burdett Knowles passed away Friday, May 10, in Clarkston, Washington at the age of 90. Dennis was born in Laramie, Wyoming to Burdett Knowles and Opal (Morris) Knowles on Dec. 8, 1928. The family made several moves including setting up residence in Nubieber, California. Dennis treasured the childhood memories of this time and spoke often and fondly of the countless hours spent with his beloved sister Darlene. The family eventually settled in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Dennis attended Klamath Union High School and after his graduation, he served three years in the United States Air Force. Upon his return, he attended college in Eugene, Oregon and subsequently went to work for the National Forest Service. He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. During this time, while helping out at the Fort Klamath Tavern, owned and operated by his parents, he met and fell in love with Virginia Thomas. They were married in Klamath Falls on Dec. 9, 1950. The couple resided there and Dennis worked in the lumber industry until the mid 1960’s, when he and Virginia moved to Terrebonne, Oregon and embarked on a career of raising cattle. Dennis continued to travel during the week and work in lumber sales while Virginia (Ginger) raised cattle and three children. They later moved to Tumalo and purchased a ranch in Harney County. When their children were grown, they sold their Tumalo property and moved to John Day, Oregon. Dennis retired from sales, but they continued on with their ranching. Both Dennis and Virginia were well known and respected in the John Day community and will be missed. Dennis was preceded in death by his loving wife, Virginia (Ginger) Knowles; son, Jeff Knowles; sister, Darlene Blackman; and parents, Burdett and Opal Knowles. He is survived by his son, Brian “Butch” Knowles (Mary) of Heppner, Oregon; daughter, Leanne Fuller (Pat) of Clarkston, Washington; daughter in-law, Sally Knowles of John Day, Oregon; grandchildren, Brian Knowles ( Jenessa), Blake Knowles (Whitney), Drew Knowles ( Jessie), Trevor Knowles ( Jena), Casey Fuller and Makenzie Fuller; and six wonderful great-grandchildren. A private family memorial will be held at a later date. Paid for by the family of Dennis Burdett Knowles Merilee Ann Young, aged 76, passed away peacefully on May 6 after a brief illness. She was born in 1942 in Spokane, Washington to Geraldine and Howard Russell and spent her childhood in Harrison, Idaho. She married the love of her life, Jack Young, in Nov. 1960, embarking on a 59-year adventure filled with family, friends, community and travel. Not long after their marriage, they were balancing the demands of raising a family and study at the University of Idaho. In 1969 they moved to Hines, Oregon, settling in John Day, Oregon in 1972. In John Day, Merilee and Jack established Iron Triangle, operating the logging and road construction company together for more than two decades. During that time, Merilee also served as President of the Grant Union School Board and on the Blue Mountain Hospital Board of Directors. In 1999 Merilee and Jack served as the Grand Marshals of the Grant County Fair Parade. After retiring, they moved to Central Oregon. Merilee loved to travel and she and Jack journeyed around the United States and the world. They also enjoyed sharing travel with their family and their grandchildren fondly remember eighth grade graduation trips to London, Paris, South Africa, New Zealand and Greece. Friends and family treasure memories of travel together with Merilee and Jack overseas and to Disneyland, the Oregon Coast and NCAA Final Four games. Merilee was the beloved mother of Karene, Collette and Russ; proud grandmother of Jessica, Blake, Hayden, August, Jordyn, Rhys and Mason; and great-grandmother to Declan, Calder and Clara. She was the cherished wife of Jack Young; sister of Michael Russell; and aunt to her many nieces and nephews. All of these she loved and touched deeply. Services were held in John Day, Oregon beginning with a rosary on Friday, May 24, at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. A Mass was held the following day, Saturday, May 25, at 10 a.m. and was followed by a celebration of Merilee’s life at the Grant County Fairgrounds Pavilion at noon. Donations to the Hospice of Spokane and the Ronald McDonald House are welcome. Paid for by the family of Merilee Ann Young. Last Week’s Temps John Day ...........................................................HI/LO Tuesday ........................................................... 56/37 Wednesday ..................................................... 56/45 Thursday .......................................................... 68/42 Friday ............................................................... 61/45 Saturday .......................................................... 64/42 Sunday ............................................................. 69/43 Monday............................................................ 60/47 24/7 F ORECAST A UTOMATED : 541-575-1122 R OAD CONDITIONS : 511; TRIPCHECK . COM NOAA W EATHER R ADIO FOR J OHN D AY 162.500 MHz The Guttu family would like to express our sincere thanks to all our friends and neighbors who sent cards, flowers and the delicious food to us. The love and compassion is what one sees from a small community when one loses a loved one. So with sincere gratitude and appreciation our family thanks you all again. Sonie Guttu Russell and Lydia Guttu Eric and Jamie Guttu Jodi and Robie Ranft Darcy and Jason Dawson W EATHER F ORECAST FOR THE WEEK OF M AY 29-J UNE 4 Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Afternoon thunderstorms Thunderstorms possible Partly sunny Thunderstorms possible Mostly sunny Mostly sunny Mostly sunny 70 73 77 79 85 87 84 50 49 52 53 55 48 47
