Cove, Oregon
Kenneth L. Fordice, 71, formerly of North Powder and Cove, died in his sleep Dec. 16, in Winston. A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the North Powder Cemetery. Viewing will be from 3 until 6 p.m. Wednesday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande.
He was born Aug. 28, 1935, in Enterprise to Willard and Lela (Gray) Fordice. He grew up on a ranch near Flora on the breaks of the Grande Ronde River and later moved with his family to North Powder where he attended school.
He married Donna Cox of Haines in 1956 but was later divorced. He then married his loving wife of 20 years, Elsie.
Mr. Fordice honorably served in the armed forces, worked on a ranch, which is what he loved most, and then worked as an engineer for the Oregon Department of Transportation for 30 years before retiring.
He and Elsie then moved to Cove to be close to his mother and help his daughter and her husband on their ranch. Recently he and Elsie moved back to Winston.
Survivors include his wife Elsie of Winston; mother, Lela Fordice of Baker City; son, Tony Fordice of Burns, daughter Teena and husband Chuck Ballard of Union; stepdaughter Lois and husband Dave Foster of Seattle; brother Keith and wife Judy Fordice of Hermiston; sister Myrna and husband Ivan Hale of Montana, and sister Sandy and husband Ron Sanderson of Arizona; five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his father and sister, Donna.
Memorials may be made to the charity of choice in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande 97850.
The Observer – Obituaries for the week ending Dec. 23, 2006 Published: December 23, 2006