1924-1998
LeRoy Gray Childers, 73, of La Grande, died Tuesday, Jan. 13 at St. Alphonsus Medical Center in Boise.
A service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley with the Rev. David Paulson of Zion Lutheran Church officiating.
Mr. Childers was born March 22, 1924, to Lee and Bessie (Gray) Childers, at the family home on Lower Cove Road. He graduated from Cove High School and later from Eastern Oregon University. He later earned a master’s degree in education and continued working toward his Ph.D.
In 1950 he married Clarice Gayle “Gay” Conklin in Cove. He farmed with the Conklins for several years. He then taught in Cove until 1966 when the couple moved to Wallowa, where he became the school superintendent. He then worked for the Education Service District for several years before becoming Wallowa County judge. On April 25, 1987, he married Clarita Swigert in Enterprise. He retired in 1988. They moved to La Grande in 1993.
Mr. Childers was a 39-year member of La Grande Elks Lodge No. 433 and an active member and current president of the Blue Mountain Barbershoppers. He was also a member of Cove Masons Lodge No. 91, the AARP, the Cove Sportsman’s Club and the D-K Educational Foundation Board. He was also a member of the Thursday Night Thanatopsis Society. He was an avid fisherman who enjoyed working in his shop, cooking and gardening. His family was very important to him, and he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, family members said.
Survivors include his wife, Clarita Childers of La Grande; daughter, Belinda Kubler of La Grande; sons, Tom of Portland and Lon of Nampa, Idaho; stepsons, Eric Yundt of La Grande and Craig Yundt of Ontario; stepdaughter, Pam Mathews; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a nephew, and other relatives and friends.
Sister’s Elda Mae Crow and Iola Robinson died earlier.
In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to the D-K Education Foundation in care of Daniels Chapel, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande 97850.
The Observer
La Grande, Oregon
Wednesday, January 14, 1998
Page 15