C.K. “Cal” Suksdorf, 86, of Prairie City, who mined in Baker and Grant counties over the past 50 years, died June 12, 2004, at Blue Mountain Hospital in John Day after a brief illness.
At his request, there will be no funeral or memorial. He and his wife, Clementine, will be remembered in a private family ceremony in the Mormon Basin.
Cal was born on Feb. 20, 1918, at Angel Camp, Calif. He grew up in Death Valley, Calif., and lived in Oregon and Idaho during his youth. He served his country bravely in World War II as an airplane mechanic.
He married his wife, Clementine, in 1942. They enjoyed 56 years of marriage before Clementine died in May 1998. Cal lived and worked as a minor, prospector and equipment operator in Oregon his entire life, especially in and around his beloved Mormon Basin.
He gave to his community through the Church of Latter-day Saints and the Elks Lodge.
Cal also loved golf and fly-fishing and to sing, play guitar and collect good poems. Walt Whitman was one of his favorite poets.
He bequeathed his family the strength of a gentle man, the common-sense humor of a working man and the love of an honest man.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Blue Mountain Nursing Home through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, June 18, 2004
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor