Baker County OR

Young, Jimmy O. – Obituary

Jimmy O. Young, 65, of Weston, a former Baker County resident, died March 1, 2002, at his home. At his request, there will be no service. Jimmy was born on March 16, 1936, at Haines. He was one of four children of James Edgar and Frances Anna Richard Young. He was raised in Baker County where he also attended school. Jimmy enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served during the Korean conflict. After receiving his honorable discharge, he began working as a long-haul truck driver, hauling produce. He also drove log trucks. He worked for Union Pacific Railroad for … Read more

MacPherson, Alice Marie Ensminger Mrs. – Obituary

Union, Oregon Alice Marie Ensminger Mac-Pherson, 82, of Union died Oct. 15, 2002, at a La Grande care facility after a brief illness. There will be a memorial service in the spring and burial will be in the Union Cemetery at Union. Arrangements are under the direction of Loveland Funeral Chapel 1508 Fourth St., La Grande. Alice was born Feb. 7, 1920, to Herschell R. and Harriett M. Ford Ensminger at Baker City. The family lived at Granite for several years before moving to Pondosa where she attended public school. She was a 1938 graduate of Union High School. In … Read more

Hull, James Freeman – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon James Freeman Hull, 58, of Baker City, died Dec. 30, 2001, at the Boise Veterans Hospital. Burial was at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. Jim was born Dec. 12, 1943, in Baker City to Howard and Lillian Hull. He was one of 12 children. He was raised in Baker City and received his education here. He served his country during the Vietnam conflict. He worked for Baker Redi-Mix and Ward Ranches. He loved fishing, mushrooming and all outdoor activities. He was a loving brother and a very giving person who was always thinking of others. Survivors include … Read more

Dougherty, Shannon James – Obituary

Shannon James Dougherty, 32, formerly of Baker City, died Oct. 25, 2002, at Independence after a three-year battle with A.L.S. (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). His funeral was today at 2 p.m. at Belcrest Memorial Park in Salem. Arrangements were handled by Howell-Edwards-Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom Funeral Directors in Salem. Shannon was born April 13, 1970, to Kiowa James and Roberta Lynn Dougherty. He was diagnosed with A.L.S. in November 1999, and was told he had six months to live. He refused to accept that fate and said he would live to see his son turn 4. On Oct. 22 he kept that … Read more

Martin, John Gregory – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon John Gregory Martin, 32, of Portland, a former Baker City resident, died June 22, 2004, in a fatal car accident in Portland. His memorial service was Saturday in Portland. John was born and raised in Baker City. He moved to Portland in 1988. He enjoyed the outdoors and loved to fish and camp. He will be missed dearly by all who knew him. Survivors include his mother, Phyllis Martin; brothers, Randy Martin, Earl Martin, Richard Martin and Jeffrey Martin; and a sister, Theresa Cole. Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, July 2, 2004 … Read more

Grogan, Edward “Brent” – Obituary

Durkee, Baker County, Oregon Edward “Brent” Grogan, 51, of Durkee, died Jan. 14, 2005. A Celebration of Life service will be scheduled later. Brent was born at Baker City on Aug. 30, 1953, to Everett and Leanna Grogan. He married Lessie Turner in 1974. Brent’s greatest joys were his children, Casey and Joshua, along with his love of the outdoors. Living in Durkee most of his life, he enjoyed the small town that had been home for him and his family as well as his parents and grandparents before him. He was preceded in death by his father, Everett Grogan; … Read more

Miller, Cassie Dawn – Obituary

North Powder, Oregon Cassie Dawn Miller, 25, of North Powder died at her home Dec. 19. Visitation was Dec. 23 at Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel, in Baker City, followed by cremation. In a private memorial at a later date her ashes will be scattered at the Keating Bluff. Cassie Dawn was born July 4, 1981, in Baker City to Marjorie Ann (Phillips) and Kenneth Loren Miller. Cassie is survived by her parents Marjorie Miller of North Powder and Kenneth Miller and his wife, Carolyn, of Midvale, Idaho; siblings, Mike Flynn, Jodi Morris, Shelly Carter, Bryce Miller and Teri … Read more

Wilson, Rita – Obituary

Rita Wilson, 69, died April 5, 2007, at her home in Baker City. Her funeral was today at 2 p.m. at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Pastor Bruce Smith of the New Beginnings Fellowship Pentecostal Church of God will officiate. After the service, friends and family are invited to a reception afterward at the church at 1820 Estes St. Rita lived at Elkhorn Village where she left behind many dear friends. She was a member of the New Beginnings Fellowship Pentecostal Church of God, and has left behind many sisters and brothers of the church. She was born July … Read more

Berry, Steven D. – Obituary

Steven D. Berry, 30, of Tucson, Ariz., a former Baker City resident, died of heart failure on Oct. 22, 2006, at Tucson. A private service will be scheduled later. Steven was born on July 16, 1976, at Fort Carson, Colo., to Daniel and Sherry Brown Martin. He moved to Springfield at a young age and then to Yamhill where he attended Yamhill Carlton High School. He moved to Baker City in 1991. While in Baker City, he worked for Pizza Hut. In 2005, he moved to Tucson, Ariz. He loved music, playing the guitar and the keyboard and singing. “He … Read more

Roberts, Pearl J. McConnell Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Pearl J. Roberts, 88, a longtime Baker City resident, died Sept. 15, 2006, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. Her memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 13, at the Assembly of God Church in Prairie City. Pastor Scott Holbert of the church will officiate. Inurnment will be at the Prairie City Cemetery. There will be a potluck at the church after the service. Pearl Jane McConnell was born at Dayton, Wash., to Fred and Mattie McConnell. She was the oldest of three children. She graduated from high school at Starbuck, Wash., and then she and … Read more

Simonis, Ernest James – Obituary

Ernest James Simonis, 87, a lifetime resident of North powder, died Saturday at his home. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Grays’ West & Co. Pioneer Chapel. Gary Pall and Laura Falkner will officiate. Vault interment will follow at the North Powder Cemetery. Mr. Simonis was born July 11, 1896, in North Powder to Wolf Creek pioneers Matt and Matilda Harrison Simonis. He attended school at Wolf Creek and married O’Lena Johnson in La Grande on Oct. 29, 1917. He worked on the railroad and farmed. He was a member of the Disabled Veterans of World … Read more

Dean, Lela – Obituary

On Wednesday of last week, Lela the infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Matt Dean, of Sanger, died at the residence of Dr. J.M. Boyd of Baker City. The many friends of the bereaved parents will sympathize with them in their loss of their infant. Eastern Oregon Republican, Thursday July 28, 1889

Bracken, Sandra L. Litteral Mrs. – Obituary

Sandra L. Bracken, 63, of Baker City died April 4, 2006, at her home. Her funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Pastor Monte Loyd of Harvest Church will officiate. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitations will be Monday from 9 a.m. to noon at the funeral home. Sandra was born on June 28, 1942, at Yakima, Wash., to Arthur and Thelma Tuener Litteral. She attended first grade at Pendleton and then the family moved to Baker City where she finished her education. She loved to be with her children and … Read more

Taylor, Howard – Obituary

Howard Taylor, 76, died Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2003, at his residence in Baker City. Howard was a long time resident of Haines. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, at Mount Hope Cemetery, Baker City. Pastor Jon Privett of the First Church of the Nazarene will be officiating. Military Auspices by Baker City AMVETS post # 1874. Visitation will be held today, Thursday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City. Following services a potluck reception will be held at the family … Read more

Rush, Beth Marie Davis Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Beth Marie Rush, 45, of Baker City, died Jan. 21, 2002, at her home with her loved ones at her side. At Beth’s request, the family will schedule private interment later. Beth was born on Aug. 2, 1956, at Prairie City to Leslie Davis and Georgia Livermore Davis. She grew up and attended all of her school years in Baker City. Beth loved animals of all kinds. She had a way with any animal she came across, but dogs were her favorite. Many dogs found their way to her home no matter where she lived. One dog … Read more

Pitts, Eleanor Marie Franklin Mrs. – Obituary

Eleanor Marie Franklin Pitts, 81, a former Baker City resident, died April 14, 2006, in Upland, Calif. Her funeral was held April 21 at Eagle Point. Pastor Lee Gregory of the Medford Neighborhood Church officiated. Internment was in the National Cemetery in Eagle Point beside her husband, a veteran of World War II. Arrangements were by Memory Gardens Mortuary, Medford. Mrs. Pitts was born in Pendleton on Sept. 7, 1924. She spent her early years in Baker City, attending Baker schools. She married Elton Best in 1942 and that union produced three children. They were later divorced, at which time … Read more

Peake, Jacquelyn – Obituary

Jacquelyn Peake, 74, of Whitefish, Mont., and a former Baker City resident, died May 26, 2003, while visiting her daughters in New Jersey. Author of eight books, numerous magazine articles and several stage plays performed at theaters throughout the country, she was also a noted actress. Jacquelyn was a world traveler who explored dozens of countries, including a volunteer assignment in China. She enjoyed sharing her knowledge and taught various classes at several colleges. She loved her family, friends, cats and Elvis. Jacquelyn’s many activities included the Stumptown Historical Society, Civil War Society, Screenwriters of the Flathead, Sunday Book Club, … Read more

Porter, Timothy – Obituary

Timothy Porter, 30, of San Antonio, Texas, a former Baker City resident, died Aug. 7, 2003, at San Antonio. His memorial service will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Windcrest United Methodist Church in San Antonio. Tim was born at Colorado Springs, Colo., on Nov. 18, 1972. He moved to Baker City with his family when he was a year and half old. He attended grade school through junior high and part of high school in Baker City. He wrestled in junior high and high school before moving to San Antonio. He was a 1991 graduate of Roosevelt High School. … Read more

Biography of Syrenous Burnett McCord

S.B. McCORD. – Syrenous Burnett McCord, one of the leading hardware merchants of Eastern Oregon, was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, in 1842. He went with his parents to Wisconsin when a youth, and lived there several years. At the age of eighteen he entered into an apprenticeship in a blacksmith shop in the city of Black Jack, his boss being the Honorable George W. Strong; and there he served out his time and came out a good workman. He crossed the plains in 1864, leaving with Colonel Flurney’s train. At Baldock’s ranch, in the Powder river valley, Oregon, he … Read more