La Grande, Oregon
Jerome “Jerry” Hoskins, 78, of La Grande died Jan. 10 Services are planned 1 p.m. Monday at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in La Grande. Viewing will be on Sunday from 4 until 6 p.m. and again Monday from 9 until 11 a.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley.
Mr. Hoskins was born Aug. 21, 1928, to Omar K. and Essie C. Hoskins at Havre, Mont.
Mr. Hoskins attended grade school at Havre; Mobridge, S.D.; Baker City and Lewiston, Idaho. He attended junior high in Clarkston, Wash., and senior high at Yakima. While in high school Mr. Hoskins earned the Eagle Scout award and was voted outstanding athlete in his senior year, 1946. He attended Washington State College for two years and was affiliated with the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.
Mr. Hoskins married the love of his life, Elizabeth June (Bette) Holmes Dec, 31, 1949, at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Yakima.
He worked for a railroad, entered into a family ranch operation, later was employed by a Kennewick phone company as a lineman and a foreman, and then moved to Libby, Mont., to rebuilt the phone facilities in preparation of the Libby Day. Mr. Hoskins was promoted to field engineer with GTE and moved to Moscow, Idaho in 1964. Jerry later transferred with GTE to La Grande as a senior outside plant engineer where he retired in 1987.
He joined the Episcopal Church in 1949. He was an active member in the Curculio movement and was a member of the site committee at Ascension School. He was also a founding member of the Ascension Barn Crew. He enjoyed telling campfire stories during the Ascension Camp summer seasons. The Hoskins were awarded the Ascension Cross in 2003 for their years of dedication and service. He was also a lay Eucharist minister and greeter. He was a helping hand for the Neighbor to Neighbor food bank.
Mr. Hoskins was a Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America and a troop leader to World Jamborees in Farragut State Park, Idaho, and Tokyo, Japan.
He was a member of the Elks Club and active in the Optimist International Club for 15 years.
He loved traveling with Bette after retirement, fishing with his sons and staying active in the community.
Survivors include by his wife of 57 years; son Steve and wife Dana, daughter Marla, son Scott and wife Mary, son Jim and companion Judith; brother-in-law Howard Holmes; seven grandchildren; along with four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his brother Omar Hoskins, Jr. and his parents.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ascension School in Cove, GRH Hospice or St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and Cancer Society in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande 97850.
The Observer – Obituaries for the week ending Jan. 13, 2006, Published: January 13, 2007