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
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NOAA W EATHER R ADIO FOR J OHN D AY
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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
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