A2
NEWS
Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, October 5, 2022
FUN IN THE SUN
By TONY CHIOTTI
Blue Mountain Eagle
JOHN DAY — This
summer was the first year
of the Fun in the Sun, or
FITS, program, a summer
reading program offered
by the John Day/Canyon
City Parks and Recreation
District, the Grant County
Library, Painted Sky Cen-
ter for the Arts, SNAP
Education, Amanda Moss
Yoga, Community Health
Improvement Coalition and
Oregon State University.
There were two events each
in Prairie City and Mt. Ver-
non, and weekly events at
the Seventh Street Complex
in John Day, with dozens
of children attending each
event. Every child who
attended was entered into
a drawing, and at the end
of the program, five names
were drawn to receive a
free Kindle electronic read-
ing device.
The lucky winners, pic-
tured: Braeden Webb,
7; Darcie Bremner, 3;
Ivee Stoddard, 7; Brooke
McClain, 7; and Jamison
Conner, 9, whom we pre-
sume will be sharing with
siblings Graham, 6, and
Coulter, 4.
Alva
Dale Conlee
July 21, 1932 ~ September 21, 2022
Alva Dale Conlee, age 90, of John
Day passed away September 21, 2022.
A graveside memorial service with mil-
itary honors is scheduled for October
8, 2022, starting at 11:00 AM at the
Canyon City Cemetery in Canyon City.
Alva was born to Walter Dale Con-
lee and Eulala Cummings-Conlee on
July 21, 1932, in Mt. Vernon, Oregon.
He graduated from Grant Union High
School and attended Linfield Universi-
ty. He married Helen Lohf in Canyon
City Oregon and together they wel-
comed three children.
He spent four years serving his country as an electronic tech-
nician in the United States Navy. After returning home, he worked
for CP National and was the manager for Oregon Trail Co-Op for
forty plus years.
Alva enjoyed working on the ranch and riding for cattle in the
National Forest. He was an excellent golfer and a member of the
John Day Golf and Country Club as well as being a past Exalted
Ruler for the John Day Elks Lodge #1824. Alva also enjoyed hunt-
ing and was a great businessman.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Eulala;
wife, Helen and his brother, Dee Conlee.
Survivors include his son, Kim Conlee of John Day, OR; son,
Dale (Nancy) Conlee of Prineville, OR; and daughter, Laura (Jerry)
Gill of Mt. Vernon, OR; grandchildren, Rachel (Josh) Samter of
Sherwood, OR; Cody (Jessica) Conlee of Grants Pass, OR; Leslie
Conlee of Salem, OR; Sydni (Ty) Baker of Mt. Vernon, OR; Aman-
da (Joe) Rigney of Mt. Vernon, OR; and five great-grandchildren,
Carter and Adlee Samter, Mallory Conlee, Bryant Baker and Ma-
son Rigney.
Memorial contributions in his honor can be made to the John
Day Elks Lodge #1824, Elks Eye Institute or Blue Mountain Hos-
pice through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John
Day, Oregon 97845.
Paid for by the family of Alva Conlee.
Nathan Swinburne Randall
Contributed Photos
Darcie Bremner
Brooke McClain
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SALEM — The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is
asking for hunters to help check deer and elk carcasses for chronic
wasting disease, a deadly infection that has been detected within 30
miles of Oregon’s border.
A new law requires hunters transporting deer or elk carcasses to
stop at CWD check stations along their route. Hunters do not have
to drive out of their way to get to a station, but ODFW is asking that
they do so if possible so tissue samples can be taken, the agency
said in a press release.
Chronic wasting disease can spread quickly within deer and elk
herds and is uniformly fatal to infected animals, although symp-
toms can be slow to appear.
The sampling program helps the agency keep tabs on the dis-
ease and implement a response plan if it is detected within Ore-
gon’s borders.
Stations were scheduled to be set up during the opening week-
ends of rifl e season for deer and Rocky Mountain elk at the follow-
ing locations and times:
• Celilo Park (exit 97 off I-84 west of Biggs Junction), 9 a.m. to
dusk Oct. 2-4 and 29-31.
• Crook County Fairgrounds, 1280 S. Main St., Prineville,
9 a.m. to dusk Oct. 1-3 and 29-31.
• Elgin Rodeo Grounds, 790 S. Eighth Ave., Elgin, noon to
6 p.m. Oct. 2-4 and 29-31.
Participating taxidermists, meat processors and ODFW offi ces
can also take samples.
KLAMATH FALLS — The Regional Forest Practices Com-
mittee for Eastern Oregon will meet at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6.
The meeting will take place at the Oregon Department of For-
estry offi ce in Klamath Falls, but the public can join virtually via
Zoom by going to https://odf.zoom.us/j/95661793462#success.
The agenda will include Operator of the Year selection, a Forest
Practices Act rule change and updates on the emerald ash borer, fi re
season and the Forest Resources Division.
To comment, email forestresources.committees@odf.oregon.gov.
Grant County nurse sanctioned
From left, Graham, Coulter and Jamison Conner
PORTLAND — The Oregon State Board of Nursing has fi ned
a Grant County nurse $500 for a violation of patient privacy.
According to a stipulated agreement fi led by the board, Janelle
Moulton acknowledged she had “inadvertently released private
health information in a social setting.” Moulton could have been
fi ned as much as $5,000, but the board noted there were no prior
disciplinary actions against her in 35 years of practice.
Politicians in the attic?
Braeden Webb
Ivee Stoddard
DEATH NOTICES
Elayne Reasoner
Elayne Reasoner, formerly of Dayville, passed away on Aug.
25, 2022, at the age of 96. Per her wishes, there will be no services.
SERVICE NOTICES
Christi Jean Sproul
A celebration of life for Christi Jean Sproul will be held at
1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8, at the John Day Golf Club, 27631
Golf Club Road.
SALEM — The Oregon State Capitol Foundation is asking for
the public’s help in locating missing portraits of Oregon governors.
“We know many oil paintings of territorial and state governors
were lost when the Capitol burned in 1935, but we also know some
of them were saved from the fi re,” foundation board member Joan
Plank said in a press release.
While some of those portraits were recovered and are once
again hanging in the statehouse, an estimated 27 others have dis-
appeared and may be in private homes, schools, universities, muse-
ums, courthouses or public buildings.
The nonprofi t foundation wants to create a record of where for-
mal portraits of Oregon’s governors are but says it does not intend
to reclaim the artworks and will not make public the location of
portraits in private residences.
People with information about the location of the missing por-
traits are asked to contact the Oregon State Capitol Foundation at
oscf@oregoncapitolfoundation.org or 503-363-1859.
Blue Mountain Eagle
James Edward (Jim) Lenz
Troy Leon Thompson Pruit
July 19, 1945 ~ September 21, 2022
February 7, 1935 ~ September 14, 2022
James Edward (Jim) Lenz, 77, of
Boise, Idaho, suddenly passed away
on September 21, 2022. Jim was a
caring father, husband, grandfather,
brother, and friend.
Jim was born on July 19, 1945 to
Charlie and Eleanor Lenz in Eau Claire,
Wisconsin. The family moved to Sen-
eca, Oregon when he was very young.
He attended all of his school years in
Grant County, and participated in foot-
ball and basketball during high school.
After Jim graduated from Grant
Union High School in 1963, he joined the Army, and was part of
the 237th Engineering Battalion, stationed in Heilbronn, Germany.
He learned many skills during his time in the Army that would as-
sist him in his future career. After his tour of duty was complete,
Jim also served in the National Guard for several years.
In 1965, Jim met the love of his life, Carolyn Dickens. The
two were married on December 28, 1967, and had two beautiful
sons, Anthony (Tony), and Matthew (Matt). Jim was a dedicated
husband and father, always putting his family first.
After he and Carolyn married, he worked at the Edward Hines
sawmill in Seneca, then spent several years working for the Forest
Service, doing road construction and surveying, and eventually
retired from the Grant County Road Department at age 62. Jim
was well respected in his career and formed many long-lasting
friendships during that time.
In 2007, Jim began enjoying his retirement. He stayed very
busy with his hobbies, and kept a meticulously groomed outdoor
space. He also enjoyed trips to the casino or to visit family with
Carolyn.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Elea-
nor, his sister Elaine, sister Lorraine (Tinker), and a brother, Gary
Lenz. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; two sons, Tony and
Matt; five grandchildren, Mason (18), Syndey (17), Cooper (16),
Kellen (14), and Maiya (11); along with four siblings, Irvin Olson,
Duane (Dietz) Lenz, Bonnie Newber, and Trudy Judd.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Paid for by the family of Jim Lenz.
Troy Leon Thompson Pruit
born February 7th, 1935 passed
away September 14th, 2022
while at the John Day Hospital
after a serious fall.
Troy was the 4th child of 14
born in New Mexico. With so
many mouths to feed Troy left
home at 13 to make his way in
this world. He tried many differ-
ent jobs while at the same time
pursuing his education and being
an athlete, even winning the state
championship as quarterback in
high school.
After graduation, during the
Vietnam War, he decided to en-
list into the Army as an 82nd
Airborne Ranger. In a night jump
training he suffered a serious injury and was reassigned to the
Honor Guard at Fort McNair where one of his duties was guarding
Mamie Eisenhower when she was out in public. During this tour
of duty he formed a bluegrass band, playing the guitar of course,
with fellow soldiers that played for patients at Walter Reed Hospi-
tal, toured and entertained President Eisenhower at times!
It was also during this time that he met the love of his life and
fellow soldier Gaylene May Metz and they were married Decem-
ber 5, 1959. Shortly after marriage both departed the military and
eventually moved to the Pacific Northwest, raising their two sons
Troy Lynn and Todd Leon, surrounded by many of their family
members.
Eventually in retirement, they settled in Long Creek mak-
ing many new friends. Troy has six grandchildren and four
great-grandchildren.
At this time the family requests privacy during their mourning.
Arrangements are being made for a memorial service and will be
posted soon.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to
Blue Mountain Home Health and Hospice in his honor, as they
were a significant help in the last few months of his life. Paid for
by the family of Troy Pruit.
Last Week’s Temps
John Day ...........................................................HI/LO
Wednesday ..................................................... 81/46
Thursday .......................................................... 64/40
Friday ............................................................... 72/41
Saturday .......................................................... 76/45
Sunday ............................................................. 81/47
Monday............................................................ 81/47
Tuesday ........................................................... 81/48
State needs help tracking CWD
Forest practices meeting set
May 24, 1939 ~ September 17, 2022
Our father Nate
Randall left us Sep-
tember 17, 2022 in
Idaho Falls, Idaho.
His passing was
peaceful and he was
gracefully attended to
by his sons, daugh-
ter-in-law, grandchil-
dren and the angels
of Aspen Hospice.
Born to Vern and Frances Randall in Bagley Minnesota, Nate
grew up in and loved the forests of Oregon and the Pacific North-
west. He attended school in Mount Vernon, Oregon and consid-
ered Grant County his stomping grounds. He served honorably as
a Sergeant in the 24th Infantry in the U.S. Army and later became
a trained draftsman graduating from Oregon Institute of Technol-
ogy in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Nate was a draftsman, a logger and
a farmer of a run-down piece of ground that he dearly loved in
Hillsboro, Oregon.
Nate married Judeth Ann Anderson in Winnemucca, Nevada
on January 4th, 1964 and later had their marriage solemnized in
the Oakland Temple being members of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints. They had three sons and a plethora of dogs,
cats, cows, chickens, goats and a plethora of other farm animals.
Nate loved to garden, especially tomatoes which he regularly
forced upon neighbors and friends. He loved his family, his farm
and his life. He was easy to smile, quick to joke and fast to lend a
hand. If he had it he would give it to whoever needed it. His smile
and the twinkle in his baby-blue eyes were infectious. Nate always
tried to put a smile on the faces of those around him.
Judeth Ann Randall, his wife, and his parents preceded Nate in
death. He is survived by his sons Nathan, his wife Ann and daugh-
ter Julianna; Neal, his wife Leslie, and children Spencer with his
wife Randee, Hayles, Conner with his wife Caroline, and Macie;
and Nate’s youngest son Josh.
Private family services will be held. Nate and Judy Randall will
be interred together in Grant County, Oregon on Memorial Day,
2023 with family and close friends in attendance.
Nate did not want a funeral or flowers. His brother Jerody was
killed in a logging accident when Nate was 15, after that he always
hated funerals and the smell of flowers as they reminded him of
that sorrowful time. Instead, Nate asks that family and friends
make a contribution to veterans in need at www.dav.org an or-
ganization that was dear to his heart for the work and relief they
bring to veterans.
For Dad.
Into the lush green white-capped mountains I now go
Walking between the spruce, hemlock, fir and their glow
Weep for me not it’s where I want to be
With my family in a celestial forest amongst the trees
I rest from my life’s labors and memories of happy times
I will wait until we joyfully meet again amongst Glory’s pines.
Nate Randall has peacefully departed with Judy for their walk in
the forest.
Paid for by the family of Nate Randall.
LOCAL BRIEFING
W EATHER F ORECAST FOR THE WEEK OF O CT . 5-11
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Sunny
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sunny
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48
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