A2
FAMILY
Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, June 30, 2021
ODF implements regulated use closure
Blue Mountain Eagle
Eagle fi le photo
Grand Marshal Carla Wright, far right, rides in the Calvary
Horse Camp’s carriage during the Fourth of July parade in
Prairie City. Joining her are, from left, Mikaila Crane, Katie
Johnson and Larry Wright in 2019.
Prairie City
fi reworks show is back
City plans 5K run in
the morning, parade
at noon
By Steven Mitchell
Blue Mountain Eagle
The Fourth of July fi re-
works show in Prairie City
is back this year after being
canceled last year due to
COVID-19 concerns.
In addition to the fi re-
works
show,
dubbed
“Live Freedom,” the city
will have a parade and
5K run.
Jim Hamsher, Prairie
City mayor, said the fi re-
works show would be on
July 3 at dusk in front of
the Oxbow.
He said July 3 was the
only time the city could
schedule a pyrotechnic
company.
Hamsher said a Fourth
of July 5K run kicks off at
8 a.m. at Depot Park. He
said the registration cost is
by donation only. All of the
proceeds will benefi t the
Prairie City Community
Center. He said the 5K run
begins and ends at Depot
Park.
He said the town would
have a parade at noon. Pam
Woodworth will be the
grand marshal this year.
“With everything start-
ing to come back,” Ham-
sher said, “I think people
are very happy.”
Events across Ore-
gon were canceled last
year — from the Oregon
State Fair to Cycle Ore-
gon, which planned rides
through Grant County in
September, to the BMW
Riders of Oregon’s Chief
Joseph Rally, which takes
place at the Grant County
Fairgrounds.
The loss of Grant
County’s summer events
impacted the county’s
already hobbled economy
that relies on tourism to get
through the year.
Wildfi res resulting from human activi-
ties continue to plague fi refi ghters in Ore-
gon Department of Forestry’s Central
Oregon District.
“We are seeing fi re behavior similar to
what is typical in July or even August,”
said District Forester Mike Shaw in a
press release. “Wildand fuels are incredi-
bly dry, and the moisture from last week’s
precipitation has already dried out of the
fi ner fuels, and never penetrated the larger
ones.”
In an eff ort to reduce these fi res the
district has implemented a 10 a.m. regu-
lated use closure, which restricts high risk
activities linked to wildfi re starts. The fol-
lowing restrictions are in eff ect:
• Possession of the following fi refi ght-
ing equipment is required while travel-
ing in a motorized vehicle, except on fed-
eral and state highways, county roads and
driveways: one shovel and one gallon of
water or one operational 2.5 pound or
larger fi re extinguisher, except all-terrain
vehicles and motorcycles, which must be
equipped with an approved spark arrestor
in good working condition.
• Smoking is prohibited while travel-
ing, except in vehicles on improved roads.
• Open fi res are prohibited, including
campfi res, charcoal fi res, cooking fi res
and warming fi res, except in designated
areas.
• Chainsaw use is prohibited, between
the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Chain-
saw use is permitted at all other hours, if
the following fi refi ghting equipment is
present with each operating saw: one axe,
one shovel and one operational 8-ounce or
larger fi re extinguisher. In addition, a fi re
watch is required at least one hour follow-
ing the use of each saw.
• Mowing dried grass with power
driven equipment is prohibited, between
10 a.m. and 8 p.m., except for the commer-
cial culture/harvest of agricultural crops.
• Cutting, grinding and welding of
metal is prohibited between 10 a.m. and
8 p.m.
• Use of motor vehicles, including
Forest implements Phase
B public use restrictions
Blue Mountain Eagle
The Malheur National
Forest moved to Phase B of
public use restrictions, pro-
hibiting fi res, smoking and
chainsaw use from 1-8 p.m.
The Emigrant Creek
Ranger District in the south-
ern zone moved to Phase B of
public use restrictions Friday,
June 25, and the Blue Moun-
tain and Prairie City ranger
districts in the northern zone
moved to Phase B Monday,
June 28, both implementing
Industrial Fire Precaution
Level II.
Under Phase B of public
use restrictions, the follow-
ing are prohibited:
1. Building, maintain-
motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, is
prohibited, except on improved roads and
except for vehicle use by a landowner and
employees of the landowner upon their
own land while conducting activities asso-
ciated with their livelihood.
• The use of fi reworks and blasting is
prohibited.
Additional restrictions, a map and the
offi cial proclamation can be found at ore-
gon.gov/odf/fi re/pages/restrictions.aspx.
Operators should refer to oregon.gov/
odf/fire/Documents/fire-season-require-
ments-for-industrial-operations.pdf
for
information specifi c to industrial opera-
tions during fi re season, or call the local
ODF offi ce, 541-575-1139.
Burning of logging slash and larger
debris piles is not currently allowed in
the John Day Unit. Burning yard debris
and burn barrels is no longer permitted on
lands protected by ODF.
For additional information on ODF’s
Central Oregon District, including contact
information and unit offi ces, visit odfcen-
traloregon.com.
LEMCKE, K9 OAKIE EARN
TRAILING CERTIFICATIONS
Contributed photo
ing, attending or using a fi re,
campfi re, charcoal briquette
or stove fi re, except within
a designated recreation site.
2. Smoking, except
within an enclosed vehicle
or building, a developed rec-
reation site or while stopped
in an area at least 3 feet in
diameter that is barren or
cleared of all fl ammable
material.
3. Operating a chain-
saw between the hours of
1-8 p.m. Saw operators are
required to have a shovel
(8 inches wide, 26 inches in
length) and fi re extinguisher
(minimum ABC 8 oz.) in
their possession. A one-hour
fi re watch is required after
saw operations cease.
Cindy Lemcke and
K9 Oakie passed
their Wilderness
Trailing Type II na-
tional certifi cation
with Search and
Rescue Dogs of the
United States. They
also received their
trailing certifi cation
with the Oregon
State Sheriff ’s Asso-
ciation.
65TH ANNIVERSARY
Gary and LoLieta Gregg
William “Bill”
Robert Thomas
Gary Gregg married LoLieta Craig July 1,
1956, in Dayville, Oregon. They will celebrate
their 65th anniversary July 1, 2021.
The couple had three children, Shannon (born
1957), Mitch (born 1959) and Mindy (born
1965).
They have four grandchildren, Amanda Cou-
zens, Jeff Lippert, Britt Wilcox and Riley Gregg,
and four great-grandchildren, Jenna Kelso,
Shelby Couzens, Ryan Lippert and Aura Wilcox.
August 25, 1929 - June 16, 2021
William “Bill” Robert Thomas,
age 91, of John Day, Oregon passed
away on June 16, 2021, at Blue Mt
Hospital in John Day, Oregon.
Bill was born August 25, 1929,
in Portland Oregon, to William and
Martha (Rudishauser) Thomas. He
lived with his parents and siblings
in John Day and Mt. Vernon, Oregon
until he enlisted in the Navy on August 2, 1948. He served as Radarman
Third Class in the Navy and was honorably discharged on July 31st, 1952.
He met his first wife, Janet Weyell, during a brief docking in New York
City and got engaged three days later. Bill and Janet married on August
10, 1952, at the Helena’s Catholic Church shortly after his discharge from
the Navy. Right after their marriage, they took the train across the United
States to Pendleton, Oregon. They had to hitch hike from Pendleton to Mt.
Vernon as the “stage” was not running on the day they arrived in Pendleton.
They were stopped and questioned by the local Sheriff for being runaways
and had to show proof of their marriage. This was all being conducted
while Janet was standing on her suitcase in the middle of the road because
of the horrible grasshopper infestation that year. They were later picked up
by Harley McGetrick, a log truck driver, who delivered them to Mt. Vernon.
They set up their home in Kimberly at the Orchard and later they moved
to the W4 Ranch and set up their home in the large White house on the
banks of the John Day River. They resided for a year in the Kimberly area
where their first child, Linda was born. From Kimberly, they moved to Yuba
City, CA where he worked as a truck driver and their second child, Billy was
born. From Yuba City they moved to Palmdale/Lancaster California where
Bill worked for Northrop and Hughes Aircraft Aviation and their third child
Chuck, was born. Bill transferred from Northrop/Hughes to McClellan AFB
in Sacramento. They lived for a short time in Rio Linda and then onto
Sacramento where they purchased their home and resided for the next nine
years. In 1969, the family moved back to Kimberly, OR where he worked at
the family orchard until he retired and moved to John Day Oregon in 1994.
After the passing of his beloved wife Janet on August 2, 1999, he mar-
ried Judy Gibbs on April 21, 2001. They had 20 wonderful years together
and enjoyed a nightly competitive game of cribbage. He was an avid hunter,
fisherman, obtained his pilot license and loved the outdoors. He passed
on his amazing shooting, archery and hunting skills to his daughter, Linda,
to his sons, Billy, and Chuckie and to his grandchildren, Shannon, Sean,
Colby, Cassie, Whitney, and Bianca. He passed his love of the outdoors to
all his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. The grandchildren
would make his day when they would stop by or call him with their recent
hunting and/or hiking adventures.
Bill was preceded in death by his mother Martha, father William Bailey,
stepmom Emily, and his wife Janet.
He is survived by his wife Judy, sister Alice Mills, daughter Linda (Ken-
ny) McMurry, his sons Bill and Chuck (Maria) Thomas, Stepchildren Marvin
(Jennifer), David (Roni), Shawn (Jim) and Brad (Julie), brothers John and
Jim Thomas, 11 grandchildren: Shannon, Sean, Cassie, Colby, Amanda,
Whitney, Bianca, Ethan, Maya, Bailey, Mark, and 16 great grandchildren, 1
great great grandson, 12 Step grandchildren and 26 step great grandchil-
dren, one step great, great grandchild, several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life was held at the John Day Nazarene Church followed
by private graveside services.
“The journey does not end here. You will live in our hearts forever and
we will cherish the memories made until we meet again.”
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Blue Mt.
Hospital Scholarship Fund and local Nazarene Church.
Paid for by the family of Bill Thomas.
S251128-1
OBITUARIES
Howard H. Bloxham
May 17, 1924 — June 24, 2021
Howard H. Bloxham passed away on June 24, 2021, at St.
Charles Hospital in Bend, Oregon. He was 97 years old.
Howard was born on May 17, 1924, to Heber Daniel and
Grace Henderson Bloxham in Layton,
Utah. The baby of nine children (Bill,
Sam, Vestal, Zettie, Ruth, Erma and two
babies who died in infancy). School years
were spent in Kaysville, Utah, where he
graduated from Davis High School. He
attended Utah State Agricultural College
before entering the Army in 1943. He
served during World War II in Arizona,
Texas, Guam and was preparing to go to
Okinawa when the war ended. While sta-
tioned in San Antonio, Texas, he married
Afton Gransden on June 25, 1944, in Corpus Christi, Texas, and
would have celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary the day
after he passed away. They have four children.
Howard ranched throughout Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Ore-
gon and Utah for over 65 years. He always said he had the best
job in the world. He spent his life loving what he did for a living,
his family, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was a dedicated
life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints and had a strong faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ. He was
a “man’s man,” fi ercely loyal to his country and concerned about
the disintegration of its moral fi ber. He worried about the world
that his grandchildren would grow up in. He was a proud patriot.
He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings and one
great-grandchild.
Howard is survived by wife, Afton; his children Dennis Blox-
ham, Mary (Rondo) Fehlberg, Mark (Judy) Bloxham and Nancy
(Dan) Mullin; 19 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren; and
one great-great-grandchild.
Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Mountain Hos-
pice through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd.
Last Week’s Temps
John Day ...........................................................HI/LO
Tuesday ........................................................... 81/64
Wednesday ..................................................... 91/58
Thursday .......................................................... 91/59
Friday ............................................................... 89/60
Saturday .......................................................... 97/60
Sunday ........................................................... 101/66
Monday.......................................................... 102/68
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
Norbert Ross Smith
Norbert Ross Smith, 75, was born to to Josephine
(DeSouza) and Herman Smith in Prairie City on Oct.
2, 1945. He attended 12 years of school in Mt. Vernon
and graduated from Eastern Oregon University. After a
few years of teaching, he married
Mary Mutch from Portland, Ore-
gon, and moved to Newberg, Ore-
gon, where he started and ran NRS
construction.
Norbert often returned to Grant
County to visit family and hunt. For
16 years he owned a ranch north of
Mt. Vernon, and he and Mary intro-
duced many tourists to the beauty
of the area through their bed and
breakfast, The Inn at Juniper Ridge.
Norbert enjoyed golfing, crocheting, doing puzzles, trav-
eling and hunting.
Norbert was preceded in death by his parents, his
brother Gary Smith and sister Arlita Arnett.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Mary; son Jus-
tin Jake Smith and Kelly of Salem, Oregon, and Michael
Ross Smith and Ellen of Mesa, Arizona. His great regret
was leaving his grandchildren Lilli, age 8, and Marlo,
age 3. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.
About Obituaries
News obituaries of 300 words or less are a free service of the Blue Moun-
tain Eagle. The paper accepts obituaries from the family or funeral home.
Information submitted is subject to editing. Obituaries submitted to the Eagle
with incorrect information may be corrected and republished as paid memori-
als. Obituaries longer than 300 words may be published as paid memorials.
Send obituaries by email, offi ce@bmeagle.com; fax, 541-575-1244; or mail,
195 N. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845. For more information, or to
inquire about a paid memorial, call 541-575-0710.
W EATHER F ORECAST FOR THE WEEK OF J UNE 30 - J ULY 6
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Hot
Chance of
thunderstorms
Chance of
thunderstorms
Mostly sunny
and hot
Mostly sunny
and hot
Sunny
Sunny
99
98
97
95
65
64
49
57
106 100 100
67
66
66