George O. Hiatt, 77, died Aug. 20, 2008, at St. Elizabeth Health Services, after a short illness.
His memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Pastor Gordon Bond will officiate. There will be a reception after the service at the Baker Elks Lodge, 1896 Second St. Private interment will be later at Salubria Cemetery in Cambridge, Idaho.
George was born on July 31, 1931, at the family farmhouse in Cambridge, Idaho, to George Wallace and Edith Sutton Hiatt. He was raised in several towns in Oregon and Idaho, graduating from McCall-Donnelly High School, and receiving his degree in business administration from Idaho State College.
He managed a lumberyard at Meridian, Idaho, before going to work for the City of Baker in 1962. He was hired as city recorder and after 10 years was promoted to city manager until his resignation, effective Jan. 1, 1980.
George married Eva Crockett Colton on June 14, 1964, assuming responsibility for her five children.
In 1980, he moved to Pistol River, where he managed his mother-in-law’s ranch until his retirement in 1994. George and Eva then returned to Baker County, buying ranch property in Lower Keating Valley.
George’s hobbies and interests included gun collecting, woodworking, boat building, ranching, horses, cattle and sheep, hiking and camping, kayaking, skiing and worldwide travel.
Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Eva; stepchildren, Linda Taylor and her husband, Chuck, of Ontario, Cinda Belozer and her husband, Kevin, of Gladstone, Tom Colton and his wife, Julie, of Union, Teri Colton and her husband, Larry, of Portland and Traci Colton of Baker City; brother, James Hiatt, and his wife, Teresa, of Fort Myers, Fla.; nephew, George Pat Hiatt, and his wife, Angie, and their children, Kim and George of Moscow, Idaho; numerous cousins; 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Keating School through Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, August 22, 2008
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor