La Grande, Oregon
June M. Gerry Crawford, 86, of La Grande, died June 11 at her home.
A celebration of life service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center. A full obituary will be available later.
La Grande Observer – June 12, 2008
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June M. Gerry-Crawford, 86, of La Grande, died peacefully June 11 at her home after a long illness.
A celebration of life service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center with Doug Edmonds, minister of the La Grande Church of Christ, officiating. Burial will follow at Grandview Cemetery.
June was born July 22, 1921, in Eugene to Harry and Nellie (Dickenson) Howden of Haines. She graduated from Haines High School as valedictorian in 1939 and went on to graduate from Baker College of Business.
She married James R. “Jim” Gerry in 1941. They both enjoyed careers for many years with Union Pacific Railroad – Jim as a train dispatcher and June in the labor relations department. Jim died in 1978. June retired after 30 years, moving from Portland back to La Grande.
Upon her return to La Grande, June started her second career and hobby in real estate, purchasing many houses and duplexes as rental properties. She met and enjoyed many friends in this phase of her life.
June married Clarence H. Crawford in August 2000. They moved to Elgin where they enjoyed their home on the Grande Ronde River. The couple enjoyed the great outdoors and camped for several summers in the high mountains of Eastern Oregon. They both attended the Christian Church in Elgin and later, June briefly attended the Church of Christ in La Grande where she appreciated the many people who showed her prayers and kindnesses throughout her illness.
Those who knew her say June lived life fully and served as an inspiration to her family and friends.
Survivors include son, Rick Gerry and his wife, Sharon, of Cove; daughter, Susan Gerry of La Grande; three grandchildren and their spouses; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Gary Howden and his wife, Syd, of Curlew, Wash.; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence, in October 2006, and a brother, Ray Howden, of Columbus, Ohio.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in care of Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande 97850.
La Grande Observer – June 13, 2008