A2
FAMILY
Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
‘Deer 139’ to be screened
online through Feb. 11
OBITUARIES
Vicki Lee Breck
Eddie Smith
Vicki Lee Breck, 83, of Prineville, died on Dec. 23, 2020,
at the St. Charles Hospital in Prineville, Oregon. She was born
Nov. 11, 1937, in Kansas City, Missouri.
Vicki is survived by her husband, Leonard Breck; her son,
Bobb Breck; her daughter, Bonnie
Brown, and four grandsons, Bran-
don and Joe Beers, Bucky and Brody
Breck, one great-grandson, Baelor
Beers; and two sisters, Patricia Ellis
and Rosalee Patelzick. She was pre-
ceded in death by her son, Leon-
ard Harry Breck Jr. (Bucky); and her
brother, Mike Smith.
Vicki was raised in the Santa Ynez
Valley in Southern California. She
attended the Santa Ynez high school
where she met and married her high school sweetheart.
Vicki worked side by side to her husband Leonard for 66
years of marriage. She was an integral part of their ranching oper-
ations. She loved her family beyond measure, and her grandkids
and great grandson were the greatest joys of her life. She loved
the outdoors and her ranch life; she was a hunter and rode horse
back when needed on the ranch. She never let anyone go hungry
and loved to cook; if you stopped to visit, she was going to feed
you. She enjoyed collecting antiques and western art.
Vicki will be dearly missed by all her family and friends. “To
live in the hearts of those we leave behind is not to die.”
A celebration of life will be held summer of 2021. The family
will release details at a later date.
Jan. 1, 1940 – Jan. 22, 2021
Eddie Smith, age 81, passed away Jan. 22, 2021, in Prai-
rie City, Oregon. A memorial service will be held in the spring
of 2021.
Eddie was born Jan. 1, 1940, in High-
fill, Arkansas, to Jackson and LuVeta
(Trimble) Smith. He went to school
in Sweet Home, Oregon. Eddie then
enlisted in the United States Air Force
in 1958 and returned home in 1962.
He married Latrona Wineger in June
of 1965 in Redmond, Oregon. Eddie
was self-employed as a medical sales-
man and continued his career for 30
years before retiring.
Eddie was a volunteer fireman in
Sweet Home and Gresham, Oregon. He also enjoyed being
Santa for the Shriner’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon. His hob-
bies included hunting and fishing.
Eddie was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and
LuVeta Smith.
Survivors include his wife, Latrona; their three children,
Bryan Smith of Raymond, Washington, Kristi Smith and Mary
Guthery of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and sister, Sara Fesler
of Centralia, Washington.
Memorial contributions can be made to American Legion
Post 106 through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon
Blvd., John Day, OR 97845.
To leave an online condolence for the family, visit driskill-
memorialchapel.com.
Michael George Smith
Michael G. Smith, age 83, a local rancher of Prairie City,
passed away on Jan. 25, 2021. No services are planned at this time.
Mike was born March 5, 1937, in Rio Linda, California, to
Michael and Lydia (Blomgren) Smith.
During his lifetime, he was dedi-
cated to preserving the local ranching
and timber industries.
Mike is survived by his wife, Elaine;
and children, Dave and wife, Kar-
rie, Gayle and husband, Dean, Todd
and wife, Deana, Eric and wife, Jana,
Wayne and wife, Midge, and Michelle
and her husband, Chris; along with 18
grandchildren and 12 great-grandchil-
dren. He is also survived by his sisters,
Judy and Joyce; and a brother Dave and
wife, Barb; and numerous nieces and nephews.
His family would like to thank the staff at Cinnabar Adult Fos-
ter Care Home along with the Blue Mountain Hospice team for
their loving care on Mike during his last days.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Cinnabar Adult
Foster Care Home through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Can-
yon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845. To offer online condolences to
Mike’s family, visit driskillmemorialchapel.com.
CORRECTION
In “Forest Service axes 21-inch rule” Jan. 20, the Eagle
incorrectly reported the Forest Service defines old trees as
over 100 years old when the correct number of years is
150. The Eagle regrets the error.
A. Joseph Petty
Andrew Joseph Petty (known as A. Joseph Petty), 101,
of Walla Walla, Washington, formerly of Prineville, Oregon,
passed away in his sleep at Wheatland Village Retirement
and Assisted Living in Walla Walla.
Joe was born in Goshen, Oregon, on July 27, 1919, to
Riley and Mamie (Sheridan) Petty. He grew up on a farm and
completed early education in the Creswell, Oregon, area. In
1943, he earned his B.S. degree in agriculture engineering at
Oregon State University. Later he received his civil engineer-
ing rating. On Nov. 26, 1943, Joe married Virginia Park at the
First Baptist Church in Redmond, Oregon.
Joe was employed with Soil Conservation Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture working in Redmond, Baker City
and Lakeview, Oregon, before transferring to Elko, Nevada,
until his retirement in 1968.
Joe and Virginia returned to Oregon to acreage along the
John Day River near Mitchell, Oregon, until failing health
required a move to Prineville, Oregon, and later to Walla
Walla, Washington.
He enjoyed doing outdoor activities with his family. He
took pride in his work projects, showing friends and family
unique sites.
Joe is preceded in death by his son, Karl Petty, in 2006.
Joe is survived by his wife of 77 years, Virginia Petty, of
Walla Walla, Washington; daughters, Cheryl (David) Dine of
Portland, Oregon, Carolyn (Randolph) Ford of Boise, Idaho;
son, Joel Petty of Sandpoint, Idaho; seven grandchildren;
eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Whispering Pines Funeral Home has been entrusted
with arrangements: 3168 NE Third St., Prineville, OR 97754,
541-416-9733.
Dorene Ann Delano
James Stewart Thomason
April 26, 1943 ~ January 18, 2021
July 29, 1931 ~ January 22, 2021
Dorene Ann Delano, age 77, of Mount Vernon passed away Jan. 18,
2021 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She fought a valiant
demanding battle with diabetes for 45 years. A private memorial service
will be held at a later date.
Dorene was born in Prairie City OR, April 26, 1943 to Hank and Hazel
(Hopper) McKrola. She attended all 12 grades at Mount Vernon Schools
where she played volleyball, was a cheerleader, was active in the HS
paper, Student Government and graduated Valedictorian in 1961.
Dorene married Kenneth H. Delano at her home Dec. 29, 1959. After
graduation she joined her husband in NewPort Rhode Island where she
assumed the role of Navy Wife (“Hardest Job in the Navy”) which lasted
until 1981. She then moved with 4 of their 5 children home to Mount
Vernon with her now civilian husband. (The oldest daughter remained
in WA with her new husband). They built a new home on the land she
was raised on and lived there until her death.
She enjoyed flower gardening, sewing clothes for the children, including
wedding dresses, sports coats and whatever was needed. Her cross-
stitch needle work was heirloom quality and provided a keepsake to
nearly every member of the family before her failing eyesight halted her
efforts. She made decorations, games, toys and would always end up
with the kids, grandkids and great-grandkids at the table drawing, trac-
ing, writing, painting or coloring eggs at the proper time. There were al-
ways craft materials and books at Grandma’s house for busy little minds
and hands. Her life was her children and their children. There was never
a baby she didn’t love.
Survivors include sister Joy Myers of Sumpter OR, husband Kenneth of
61 years, daughter Barbara (Gary) Collins, son Kenneth Jr. (Karen), son
Maurice (Lisa), son Monte (Autumn) and daughter Hazel LaBrie. Nine
grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
She was proceeded in death by her parents Hank and Hazel McKrola,
older brother Donald and younger sister Lorraine (Gordon) Shaw.
Her husband Ken likes to say “My life didn’t have direction until I seen That
Girl.” Sixty one years later he and his family still love and will miss “That
Girl”. What a trip we’ve had. Paid for by the family of Dorene Delano.
James Stewart Thomason, 89, of Roseburg,
OR, passed away peacefully with family by his
side on January 22, 2021. Jim was born on July
29, 1931 in Seattle, WA to parents Gena and J.
Thad Thomason. He grew up in West Seattle,
and frequently could be found outdoors with
his friends in the neighborhood or his cousins
at Lake Twelve. He graduated from Seattle University in 1953. While also
a Navy Reservist, Jim began a career in banking at First National Bank
of WA in Seattle, quickly rising to a management position, and opening
a branch in Sitka, AK in 1957. While in Sitka, he met and married the
love of his life, Irene Geleszinski. Jim, Irene, and their seven children
spent many memorable years in Sitka and Anchorage, Alaska, where
he enjoyed hunting, fishing, family camping and road trips. In 1978, the
family moved to John Day, OR, where they owned and operated Nugget
Lanes until moving to Roseburg, OR in 1987. After his retirement from
the Douglas County Assessor’s office in 1998, Jim relished golfing with
family and friends, once shooting a hole in one. Jim supported his fam-
ily and community in many ways, including active involvement in Boy
Scouts, Little League, Rotary, Elks, and others. He served on the board
of directors at Western Cascade Credit Union (now Cascade Community
CU) for many years. He volunteered numerous hours at the Roseburg
Visitors Center, honored in 2003 as Recycler of the Year. Known to many
as JT throughout his life, RUJ (“rich” Uncle Jim) to his nieces and neph-
ews, and DOD (Dear Old Dad) to his kids, he adored his children, grand-
children, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and his many close
friends, and was deeply loved in turn. A charismatic story-teller, he was
a friend to all. Jim is survived by his sons James Jr. (aka Skipper), Darhl
(Cricket), and Kyle (Darcee); daughters Susie Thomason-Ankeny (Jerry),
Mona (Brian Shenk), Lynn Rooker, and Natasha Smith (David). He was
preceded in death by his wife, Irene, and his sister, Beverly O’Kelley.
Celebration of life is planned for July 31, 2021 at River Forks County
Park near Roseburg.
Paid for by the family of James Thomason
S229482-1
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Last Week’s Temps
John Day ...........................................................HI/LO
Tuesday ........................................................... 34/21
Wednesday ..................................................... 43/28
Thursday .......................................................... 43/37
Friday ............................................................... 43/32
Saturday .......................................................... 46/32
Sunday ............................................................. 52/39
Monday............................................................ 55/43
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Blue Mountain Eagle
Blue Mountain Land Trust
will screen “Deer 139” online
through Feb. 11.
The film “Deer 139” follows
an all-female team — a biolo-
gist, a naturalist, a reporter and
a pregnant mule deer — as they
embark on an 85-mile journey
through sagebrush steppe and
winter ranges.
The film unveils the mys-
teries of long-distance wildlife
migration and makes a case for
sustaining intact landscapes.
For more information, visit
bmlt.org/events.
Grant County Court
passes pot tax ordinance
By Steven Mitchell
Blue Mountain Eagle
Grant County Court finally
approved the county’s rec-
reational marijuana tax ordi-
nance Jan. 27.
The 3% tax on marijuana
products will take effect 90
days after last week’s second
reading.
County Judge Scott Myers
said the court members would
discuss how the county should
spend the tax revenue. He said
the court would be open to sug-
gestions from other govern-
ment bodies and county depart-
ments about how the county
spends the funds.
Myers said that he would
like to see the money go to law
enforcement.
County Commissioner Jim
Hamsher said the county tax
has fewer “strings attached”
in how the county can use the
money, unlike the state pot tax.
In other county news:
• The court approved the
purchase of two properties that
it had been leasing as a work-
shop in Long Creek at $10,000
per parcel. According to Alan
Hickerson, the county’s road-
master, the county will trade
crushed rock for a part of the
purchase.
• The court approved Grant
County Fairgrounds’ request
for $800 to have magician
Louie Foxx appear at a Feb. 19
fundraiser. Hamsher, the liai-
son to the fairgrounds, said the
event would follow all social
distancing guidelines. Tick-
ets for the event will cost $12
for adults and $5 for children 6
and under. Tickets can be pur-
chased at the fairgrounds or
the Grant County Chamber of
Commerce.
Farm Bureau names Dan
Driscoll Scholarship recipients
Blue Mountain Eagle
The Grant County Farm
Bureau has awarded its 2020
Dan
Driscoll
Memorial
Scholarships.
This
year’s
winners,
Denali Twehues and Brianna
Zweygardt, received $1,250
and $750, respectively, to go
toward their education and
complimentary memberships
to the Farm Bureau.
Twehues, a student at Trea-
sure Valley Community Col-
lege, is working toward a
degree in animal science. In
a Farm Bureau press release,
she said she has lived in Day-
ville for 10 years and grew
up around animals, and was
always active in 4-H and FFA.
After earning her degree
at TVCC, Twehues said she
plans to further her educa-
tion and become a veterinary
technician.
“I would not be where I am
without the support of my fam-
ily and community,” she said.
She is the daughter of Matt
Twehues and Julie Perkins.
According to the Farm
Bureau, Brianna Zweygardt,
who grew up in Prairie City
and played volleyball, basket-
ball and softball, is in her third
year at Eastern Oregon Univer-
sity. She said she is completing
a biochemistry major, an agri-
cultural science major and an
animal science minor at Oregon
State University. Zweygardt
said she is in the Ag Club and
the Pre-Vet Club and is a cap-
tain on the softball team.
She is the daughter of Lance
and Louanne Zweygardt.
Lusco, Manitsas earn first place in
Elks Most Valuable Student contest
Blue Mountain Eagle
The John Day Elks Lodge
recognized the winners of
the Elks Most Valuable Stu-
dent contest Jan. 14.
For the girls, Abby Lusco
placed first, followed by
Katie Johnson and Jesaka
Culley. For the boys, Parker
Manitsas placed first.
Each of their applications
have advanced to the dis-
trict level where they will
be judged in comparison
to winners from the other
seven lodges in southeast
Oregon.
The top places from that
judging advance to the state
level. Each time an applica-
tion is advanced, the student
receives more money.
The top 20 students in
the nation will be invited
to Chicago where each will
receive between $20,000
and $60,000 for schooling.
Frazier named to university dean’s list
Blue Mountain Eagle
Ginni Frazier of Canyon
City was among those who
earned dean’s list recognition
at George Fox University for
the fall 2020 semester. Tradi-
tional undergraduate students
must earn a 3.5 grade point
average or above on 12 or
more hours of graded work to
earn a spot on the dean’s list.
Frazier is a senior majoring in
computer science.
W EATHER F ORECAST FOR THE WEEK OF F EB . 3 - 9
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Scattered snow
showers
Mostly
sunny
Partly
sunny
Mostly
sunny
Mostly
sunny
Mostly
sunny
Partly
sunny
40
43
44
46
48
46
45
26
30
30
29
28
18
27