Baker City, Oregon
Lewis Gilbert “Gil” Horn, 79, a longtime Baker City resident, died June 17, 2002, at his home.
His graveside funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Mount Hope Cemetery. Christopher A. Beam will officiate. There will be a reception at 525 Valley Ave. after the service.
Visitations will be until 8 o’clock tonight at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave.
“Gil” was born on July 28, 1922, at Lewiston, Mont., the sixth of eight children born to Albert Vernon and Laura Peters Horn. He grew up in Montana where his love for the land was kindled. Hunting, fishing and horses were a part of his life from an early age.
He joined the U.S. Navy in 1942, rising to the rank of chief machinist. During World War II his assignment took him to the North Atlantic aboard a minesweeper. While on patrol in 1943, the ship was lost at sea during a hurricane. After 40 hours it was relocated. There were no casualties.
“Gil” was discharged in 1945 after he had married Myrtle E. Smith at Portland. Soon afterward, he joined the U.S. Forest Service as a mechanic at Walla Walla, Wash. There were many transfers and added responsibilities as two daughters increased the family’s size.
In the summer of 1961, the final transfer brought “Gil” and his family to Baker City. He retired in 1977, after 32 years of service. He left the position of fleet manager to spend more time with family, friends and outdoor activities.
Since 1977, “Gil” had worked in custom haying, for Milo Moffitt of Moffitt Bros. out of Enterprise, raised Appaloosa and quarter horses and enjoyed his real reason for retiring.
An avid outdoorsman, “Gil” has returned from hunting and fishing trips with success of trophy-size salmon, steelhead, deer, elk, moose and antelope. All have given him joy and contentment in a job well done, but he would make it all seem insignificant if his hunting or fishing partner was successful or not.
He was a friend to all he knew and a help to those in need.
He succumbed to cancer while still at home with family at his bedside.
“Peace be with our beloved. We rejoice knowing he is at rest, free of pain,” his family said.
Survivors include his wife of nearly 57 years, Myrtle; daughters, Gayle DelPero of San Mateo, Calif., and Carol Vanderbeit of Clackamas; two sisters, Lula Horn of Las Vegas, Nev., and Hazel Gore of Kalispell, Mont.; five grandsons, two granddaughters, three great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and all of his wonderful friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Pathway Hospice Inc. or Best Friends of Baker County through Gray’s West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, June 21, 2002
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor