Paul Ervin Grove, 75, of Baker City, died July 9, 2007, at his home.
His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Baker City Christian Church, 675 Highway 7. Pastor Roger Scovil of the church will officiate. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. There will be a reception afterward at the Christian Church.
Visitations will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave.
Paul was born on July 2, 1932, at Holdrege, Neb., to John Ervin Grove and Hellen M. Zoeller Grove. His family moved to Baker City around 1947, where he attended Baker High School.
Paul was a letterman and a 1950 BHS graduate. After graduation, Paul enlisted in the military, the U.S. Army first and then in the new U.S. Air Force. He served in the Air Force until 1954 and later joined the Oregon Army National Guard where he served for 10 years.
Paul met the love of his life on a blind date. He and Patricia Davis were married on Dec. 22, 1951, after a brief courtship of 13 days. The couple celebrated their 50th anniversary in December of 2001. Patricia died on Aug. 8, 2002.
During the course of their marriage, the couple moved around to several different locations, including Boise, where they lived for five years; Richland, Wash., five years; Prosser, Wash., four years; Hermiston, one year; and Bend. They always returned to Baker City between each move, and in 1989 they returned to Baker City for the final time because Baker City was always home to them.
Paul worked a number of years at different local companies and institutions such as Ellingson’s plywood mill, Britton Equipment Co., the Baker County Fairgrounds, Baker City Senior Center and other places where he loved to work with people.
The most important things in Paul’s life were his family and the church. He loved his kids, their spouses and grandkids. He loved his extended family and was loved as a brother, brother-in-law, and uncle by his many nephews and nieces in the Grove and Davis families.
Paul was an active member of the Baker Christian Church where he served as a deacon, elder, youth sponsor and Sunday School teacher over the years. Paul and Patricia’s home was always open to anyone who needed help or encouragement. This was illustrated by their commitment to being foster parents for several decades.
Survivors include his three sons, Robert and his wife, Karen, of Corvallis, Russell and his wife, Amber, of Caldwell, Idaho, and Ronald and his wife, Michele, of Baker City; a daughter, Katherine Love, and her husband, Neal, of Bend; grandkids, KristinLee, Jasmine, Ryan, KayLee, and Holden; brothers Gene, John, Gayle and Gary; and a sister, Pearl.
Memorial contribution may be made to the Baker City Christian Church Development Fund through Gray’s West & Co., 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, July 12, 2007
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor