Formerly of Union
1934-2004
James Keith Delaney, 69, of Pacific City and formerly of Union died May 24.
A memorial service will take place 2 p.m. June 12 at the Central Building, Pacific City. Burial will be in the Union Cemetery.
Mr. Delaney was born Oct. 7, 1934, to Roy Eldred and Vennie Florence Brown Delaney in Union. He graduated from Union High School and in 1955 he married Cheryl Sue Forsythe.
In 1961 the couple moved to Pacific City, where he worked as a manager of Pacific City Supply and Lumber Co., as a building contractor, commercial fisherman and in retail marketing. He served as president of the Chamber of Commerce and chair of the Pacific City Water District. He began a one-penny refund for bottles and cans, which became the basis for the Oregon Bottle Bill. Today many other states have adopted the program that originated in Pacific City.
Mr. Delaney volunteered in the Salmon-Trout Enhancement Program and worked under contract with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to control cormorant predation on the Nestucca River. He began several public-safety projects in Pacific City, and checked on beach homes during storms. He was always on the scene to help during floods, and he provided salmon and oysters for Legislative gatherings in Salem, at the Dory Festival and the annual Soil and Water District meeting in Pacific City.
He enjoyed county-western music and performed at special events with various bands.
Survivors include his wife of Pacific City; children, Robert Delaney, Cathi Fasching, Shelly Cloud and Steve Delaney; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; his mother; sisters, Wythel Aldrich and Vera Walker, and other relatives.
Observer – Obituaries May 31 – June 5, 2004 Published: July 1, 2004