WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017
RECORDS
HERMISTONHERALD.COM • A5
OBITUARIES
Monty Rex Hixson
Ronald L. ‘Ron’ Fear
James Lee ‘Jim’ Tracy
Scottsdale, Ariz.
December 4, 1947 - September 17, 2017
Hermiston
April 29, 1942 - September 11, 2017
Hermiston
November 4, 1949 - September 9, 2017
Hixson
Monty Rex Hixson
passed away in the early
hours of Sunday, Septem-
ber 17, 2017, after a long
battle with kidney cancer.
He was born on Dec.
4, 1947, to George Rex
Hixson and Evelyn Prue
(Meyers) Hixson in La
Junta, Colorado. After
graduating high school in
1966 at Crowley County
High School, he attend-
ed college at Southern
Colorado State College
in Pueblo. In 1968 he
moved to Long Creek, Or-
egon, with his parents and
younger brother Bret.
Pendleton, Oregon, be-
came his home in the mid-
1970s and is where he met
his current wife Jeannine
(Soule) Hixson. Together
Monty and Jeannine cre-
ated a small family busi-
ness, Hixson Construction.
In the early years, Hixson
Construction operated as a
logging company that also
specialized in road build-
ing and excavation.
In 1996, Hixson Con-
struction broke into the
renewable energy indus-
try by performing the road
building, foundation exca-
vation and utility trench-
ing for the Vancycle Ridge
wind energy project. From
there, Hixson Construc-
tion grew to become a key
player in the development
of numerous wind ener-
gy projects throughout
Oregon, Washington and
Idaho. Their daughter,
Kathryn, also joined the
company after completing
her college education and
worked alongside Monty
in several wind industry
projects.
Monty is survived
by his mother, Evelyn
Hixson, who currently
resides in Pendleton, Ore-
gon, as well as his broth-
er, Bret Hixson, who is a
veterinarian in Corvallis,
Oregon. Both Jeannine
and Kathryn Hixson reside
in Scottsdale, Arizona,
where Monty spent much
of the last few years of his
life enjoying the Arizona
sunshine. Monty is also
survived by daughter Tina
Simmons from a previous
marriage, as well as many
kind and generous friends
that treated him like fam-
ily.
A Celebration of Life
gathering will commence
at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov.
18, in the Let ’er Buck
Room in Pendleton.
Narcisa De La Cruz
Hermiston
November 14, 1927 - September 18, 2017
Narcisa De La Cruz of Texas; daughter Juanita
Hermiston, Oregon, was Arellano and her husband
born on November 14, Hector, Hermiston, Ore.;
1927, in Mexico to parents grandchildren Eddie Jr.,
Manuel Olivares and Petra Eloy, Alex, Jessica, Melis-
sa, Alba, Kassandra
Trevino. She died on
and Hector Jr.; and
September 18, 2017,
four great-grandchil-
in Hermiston, Ore-
dren.
gon, at the age of 89
Narcisa was pre-
years.
ceded in death by
Narcisa
was
her parents, and sev-
raised in Mexico and
en siblings.
married Celso De
A funeral ser-
La Cruz on Decem- De La Cruz
vice will be held
ber 31, 1958. They
September
moved to Hermiston, Or- Wednesday,
egon, in 1976 where they 20, 2017, at 5:30 p.m. at
Burns Mortuary chapel,
have lived since.
Narcisa worked as a trim Hermiston, Oregon. A
line operator for JR Simplot graveside service will be
until retiring in 1991. She held Thursday, Septem-
enjoyed cooking, flowers, ber 21, 2017, at 11 a.m. at
singing and most of all time the Hermiston Cemetery,
with her family, especially Hermiston, Oregon.
Please sign the online
her grandchildren.
She is survived by her condolence book at burns-
husband, Celso De La mortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of
Cruz, Hermiston, Ore.; son
Eddie De La Cruz and his Hermiston, Oregon, is in
wife Gloria, San Antonio, charge of arrangements.
Ronald L. “Ron” Fear
of Hermiston, Oregon, was
born on April 29, 1942,
in Denver, Colorado, to
parents Roy and Nancy
“Billy” Buck Fear,
where he was raised
with four sisters and
a brother. He died on
September 11, 2017,
in Hermiston, Ore-
gon, at the age of 75
years.
He left school af- Fear
ter eighth grade to
help support his family by
driving a mail truck. He
always loved sports, espe-
cially football, and never
missed a game of his be-
loved Denver Broncos.
He even played semi-pro-
fessional football for two
years in the AFL. While
in Denver he worked for
Union Pacific Railroad,
then became a traveling
vacuum salesman. In 1974
he moved to the Hermiston
area, where he eventual-
ly opened his own store,
Ron’s Sew Vac Center,
which he owned and oper-
ated for many years. Ron
was united in marriage to
Kathryn “Kathy” Sinor on
April 2, 1983, in Hermis-
ton, Oregon.
Ron was always looking
for an adventure and his
passion for hunting, fish-
ing, boating, camping, and
anything outdoors started
when he was a boy and
continued throughout his
life. As a devoted family
man he shared his passion
with all. He instilled his
love of the outdoors in his
family and friends in count-
less weekends spent camp-
ing on the river filled with
fishing and water skiing.
He was everyone’s favorite
uncle and made every out-
ing fun, exciting, and full of
laughter.
He proudly became a
professional fisherman and
competed in numerous fish-
ing tournaments. He quali-
fied for the Cabela’s Na-
tional Team Championship
three years running, where
he was sponsored by Rang-
er boats. He also loved to
garden and was particularly
fond of dahlias, roses and
fuchsias and was proud of
the cantaloupe, peaches
and tomatoes that he grew
in abundance.
Ron’s heart and home
were always open
to those in need.
His Thanksgiving
table and Christ-
mas tree were al-
ways surrounded
by friends, fami-
ly, and anyone he
came across that
didn’t have any-
where else to go. He played
a prominent role in local
service organizations, ris-
ing to the role of district
director in the Jaycees and
past master in the Masonic
Lodge, and was a member
of the Hermiston Rotary
Club.
How do you say good-
bye to a man who changed
so many lives and brought
so much joy and happiness
into this world? His spirit
lives on through the mem-
ories of all whose lives he
touched.
He is survived by his
daughters Ginger Florence
(Richard), Wendi Fisher,
Karen Martien (Dinesh) and
April Numerick (Chad);
sisters JoAnn Bishop, Sha-
ron Stapleton and Jerry
Valentin;
grandchildren
Stephanie, Hunter, Kylee,
JJ, Tyler, Lane, Sherwood,
Ryan, Sierra, Devin, Ryan,
Kyle, Ella and Miranda;
great-granddaughter Addi-
son; numerous nieces and
nephews; and Kathy Wil-
cox and Jackie Thibodeau.
Ron was preceded in
death by his wife, Kathy
Fear; mother Nancy “Bil-
ly” Terry; father Roy Fear;
a son, Donny Leavitt;
a granddaughter, Lanai
Leavitt; a sister, Gayle
Smith; and his brother,
Gary Fear.
A graveside service was
held on Saturday, Sept.
16, 2017, at the Hermiston
Cemetery, Hermiston, Or-
egon.
Please sign the online
condolence book at burns-
mortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of
Hermiston, Oregon, is in
charge of arrangements.
Gary Dwayne Linn
Hermiston
October 29, 1947 - September 4, 2017
Gary Dwayne Linn,
69, of Hermiston, Or-
egon, passed away on
September 4, 2017,
at Kadlec Regional
Medical Center in
Richland, Washing-
ton. He was born
on Oct. 29, 1947, in
Fort Scott, Kansas,
to Forrest and Juan-
Linn
ita Linn.
Gary served in
the United States
Army during the
Vietnam era. He
married Elaine
J. Breedlove on
Aug. 7, 1970.
Gary retired as an elec-
trician for Integrated Sys-
tems of Portland.
He lived in Hermiston
for 11 months and was
a member of New Hope
Community Church. He
enjoyed computers, read-
ing and spending time
with his family.
He is survived by his
wife; son Jon
(Christie)
and
children
J.R.,
Zach and Maria;
and sons Jeremy
(Amy) and Joshua
(Angel) and chil-
dren David and
Katie.
He is preced-
ed in death by
his parents For-
rest and Juanita
Linn.
There will
be a celebration
of life on September 30,
2017, at 2 p.m. at Greater
Portland Bible Church in
Portland.
In lieu of flowers
please send gifts to Sa-
maritans Purse, P.O. Box
3000, Boone, NC 28607.
James Lee (Jim) Tracy
died at home on September
9, 2017 in Hermiston, Or-
egon, after a heroic
battle with cancer. He
was 67.
Jim was born on
November 4, 1949, in
Walla Walla, Wash-
ington, to Lloyd and
Evelyn Tracy and
grew up in Umatilla. Tracy
Before McNary
Dam was built he
roamed the islands
and shoreline of
the Columbia Riv-
er, even rescuing
a spider monkey
that had fallen off a passing
barge. He loved animals and
raised everything his parents
would allow. Jim graduated
from Umatilla High School
in 1968. He went to work at
Marlette Mobile Homes be-
fore he enlisted in the U.S.
Army to serve in Vietnam.
After his honorable dis-
charge, he returned to Herm-
iston and began working
again at Marlette. He bought
and remodeled a small home
and trailer, chopped his Har-
ley, bought a Chevy van and
enjoyed the “good life.” He
also found his life lacked
meaning and purpose; but
on November 19, 1972,
Jim found himself at an
old-fashioned Pentecostal
Revival service. That night
at the altar, he gave his life
to Jesus Christ and walked
away a new man.
Those of you who were
privileged to hear his testi-
mony know what a miracu-
lous night that was. He said
he felt clean and whole for
the first time in his life. Jim
said, “God you have done so
much for me, what can I do
for you?” The answer was,
“Just tell folks about me.”
And that’s what Jim did for
the rest of his life. Even
the hospice nurses heard
his testimony just days be-
fore his death. Jim decided
to learn more about serv-
ing Jesus and went to Bar-
tlesville Wesleyan College
(now Oklahoma Wesleyan
University) in Bartlesville,
Oklahoma. While there he
served on the prison min-
istry team and worked as
a resident assistant in the
dorm.
While at BWC he met
Dorcie McIntyre. They
were married June 6, 1975,
and began an adventure
that lasted over 42 years.
The Tracys moved back to
Hermiston in 1977 and their
family grew with the addi-
tions of Jennifer, Elizabeth
and Brian. Jim loved to have
people over and frequently
invited the whole church for
potlucks on Sunday after-
noons. He enjoyed building
and creating play areas for
the kids. Friends remember
the fun they had as children
with the play house, a tree
house complete with rope
swings and slide, teeter tot-
ters, parachutes, trampoline
and over-inflated tractor tire
tubes and waterbeds to jump
on.
In 1983, he took a job
with Sanitary Disposal
where he worked for 18
years. He enjoyed the phys-
ical labor, emptying cans
by hand before automation.
He also brought home many
found items that he turned
into treasure over the years.
One of his favorite hobbies
was to take some-
thing discarded and
broken and then re-
pair or repurpose it.
When building the
current Church of the
Nazarene, Jim craft-
ed the pulpit, cross
and communion ta-
ble from the oak
pews of the former
building.
In 1995 Jim
started JLT Paint-
ball. He was es-
pecially proud of
owning his own business.
Over the years, JLT Paint-
ball provided a weekly, safe
place for kids and adults to
play. Jim ran a tight ship
and insisted players stick to
the rules. He hosted games
for businesses, baseball and
football teams and even
students visiting from Ja-
pan. The business quickly
outgrew the little room in
the house and Jim built a
unique store just outside the
front door. Many came to
buy guns and ended up just
hanging out, telling stories
and listening to the wisdom
of Jim. Ill health forced Jim
to sell the business in 2013
but the life lessons learned
on the paintball field contin-
ue in many people’s lives.
Preceded in death by his
parents, Jim is survived by
his wife, Dorcie; daughters
Jennifer (Lance) Reidlinger
and Elizabeth (Lucas) Brad-
shaw and son Brian (Jen-
nifer) Tracy; brother Don
(Mary Ellen) Tracy; sister
Janene Tracy Kelley; many
nephews and nieces; and
his nine grandchildren: Tay-
lor, Chase, Carson, Jack-
son, Cooper, Kirsten, Aus-
tin, Eleanor (Lennie) and
one on the way. He waited
each year for spring and
summer so he could take
them all camping, fishing,
shooting and hunting. He
loved spending time in the
Blue Mountains, especially
the area around Desolation
Creek. So many precious
memories were created on
those camping trips.
Jim will be remembered
as a kind, gentle man who
was always ready and will-
ing to help anyone he could
and who loved his family
and his Saviour. Jim was a
member of the Hermiston
Church of the Nazarene for
39 years and held a local
preacher’s license.
Jim appreciated the ef-
forts of others to help peo-
ple get back on their feet.
Donations in Jim’s honor
may be sent to Desert Rose
Ministries, 512 E. Main St.,
Hermiston, OR 97838.
A celebration of life ser-
vice with military honors
will be held on Saturday,
Sept. 23, 2017, at 1 p.m. at
the Hermiston Church of the
Nazarene, 1520 W. Orchard
Ave., Hermiston, OR 97838.
A private family buri-
al will be at the Hermiston
Cemetery, Hermiston, Ore-
gon.
Please sign the online
condolence book at burns-
mortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns
Mortuary
of
Hermiston, Oregon, is in
charge of arrangements.
6:01 p.m. — A suicidal subject was
reported at West Madrona Avenue,
Hermiston.
SUNDAY, SEPT. 17
10:09 p.m. — A juvenile and an
adult, the uncle, were fighting at West
Juniper Avenue, Hermiston.
8:50 p.m. — A woman reported that
a man was trying to beat her up, at East
Main Street, Hermiston.
9:31 p.m. — A woman was causing
a disturbance at Safeway and refused to
leave, on South Highway 395, Hermiston.
PUBLIC SAFETY LOG
TUESDAY, SEPT. 12
6:18 p.m. — A burglary was reported
at South Highway 395, Hermiston. A
caller said his travel trailer had been
broken into and had been destroyed.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 13
2:38 a.m. — Third-hand report of a
domestic violence at South First Street,
Hermiston.
2:04 p.m. — A suicidal subject was
reported at South First Street, Hermiston.
2:15 p.m. — A prowler was reported
in the back yard at Southwest 16th Place,
Hermiston, late the previous night or
early that morning. The caller’s son
said he saw the prowler, but the person
shined a flashlight in his face causing
him to not be able to see.
4:58 p.m. — Shots were fired at West
Cody Avenue, the person was shot in the
right arm with a 9-millimeter.
7:31 p.m. — A suicidal subject was
reported at East Ridgeway Avenue,
Hermiston.
8:51 p.m. — A woman on North Hill
Drive, Hermiston, said her stepfather
was causing a disturbance.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 14
3:15 p.m. — Two Hispanic males were
fighting at West Orchard Avenue. One
had a bat.
4:51 p.m. — A caller reported some
copper wire at a residence near him, that
he thought was stolen, at North First
Street, Hermiston.
4:58 p.m. — A runaway was report-
ed at South Highway 395, Hermiston.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 15
9:12 a.m. — A person was reported
missing at Northeast Alora Drive,
Hermiston.
9:46 a.m. — A caller reported that
he broke up with his girlfriend and
she jumped out of the moving car, at
Northwest June Avenue and Northwest
Spruce Street, Hermiston.
2:30 p.m. — A caller reported that
an older male in a white vehicle, with
Oregon license plate number GAK543
almost ran her off the road at South
Highway 395 and Southeast Fourth
Street, and then took off north.
10:16 p.m. — A man reported his
girlfriend was intoxicated and was
hitting him, at Northwest 11th Street,
Hermiston.
11:47 p.m. — A man called the police
department from East Hurlburt Avenue,
saying he was suicidal.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 16
10:39 a.m. — A homemade ladder
was reported on the back at West Harper
Road, Hermiston.
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MONDAY, SEPT. 18
3:54 p.m. — A man was reported to
have a compound bow, at Northwest
Samantha Street in Hermiston. He was
wearing black shorts and a green t-shirt.
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