Keating, Baker County, Oregon
Elton Ralph Best, 85, a lifelong resident of Keating and Baker City, died Feb. 7, 2005, at his home.
His graveside service was today at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor Lennie Spooner of the First Church of the Nazarene officiated.
Elton was born on Oct. 10, 1919, at Keating to William Henry and Pearl Shulenbarger Best. He was raised at Keating and attended school at Keating and Baker City.
He worked in the sawmill for many years before changing careers to work for the natural gas company. At retirement, Elton was working for the U.S. Forest Service.
Elton met and married Eleanor Marie Franklin at Baker City. The couple had two children, Lynda L. Geyer and Gerald Elton Best. They were later divorced but remained friends.
Elton was set in his daily routine that included visiting Stockman’s Tavern every morning for breakfast and conversation with all of his friends. He was very friendly and caring and had no problems making friends everywhere he went.
He was a wonderful family man, spending all of his time providing for his family and caring for them. He built the family home in Baker City by himself, even going as far as digging the basement by hand with just a shovel.
Elton was close to his sisters and, as they aged, he helped care for them and visited them weekly.
Survivors include his children, Lynda L. Geyer and her husband, Bill, of Navarre, Fla., and Gerald Elton Best, and his wife, Rita, of McMinnville; grandchildren, Rosann Ewbank, William Geyer, Gerald Best Jr., and Deanna Alexander; eight great-grandchildren; his good friend, Tammy Marie of Baker City; his ex-wife, Eleanor Marie Franklin of California; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents William H. and Pearl Best; brothers, Harold, Loyd, and John Best; and sisters Goldie Ewing and Olive Standefer.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice through Gray’s West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, February 18, 2005
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor