George Bradford LaBaun, 82, a Baker City resident from 1996 until moving recently with his wife to Roseburg, died Dec. 29, 2004, with his family at his bedside after several years of battling with a rare lung disease.
His memorial service was Jan. 3 at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit. A celebration of his life will be scheduled later at Corvallis.
He was born on Feb. 13, 1922, at Sheridan, Wyo., to George and Cora Burdick LaBaun. When he was 2 years old he moved with his parents to Eugene.
He was a 1939 graduate of Eugene High School. After completing two years of engineering at Oregon State University, he worked as an engineer at Boeing Aircraft Co., the Spokane Army Air Depot and Lockheed Aircraft Co. before enlisting in the U.S. Army.
During World War II, George served in the Pacific Theater as a combat engineer in the 715th Ordinance DLM Co. (“Flaming Bomb”). After his discharge, George worked 10 years as a construction superintendent, before returning to OSU to continue his education.
He completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering and began teaching at OSU. Later, as a liaison between OSU Civil Engineering and the construction industry, he was instrumental in creating the Construction Engineering Management Program at Oregon State University. Professor LaBaun taught at OSU for 28 years and retired in 1984.
He married his high school sweetheart, Jean Margaret Watson on Oct. 4, 1941. They recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary.
George was a dedicated provider and loyal caretaker for his family. His grandchildren have referred to him as humorous, adventurous, generous, a great storyteller, superstar, hero and wonderful person who was always there for them.
When he shared his musical talent with his family and friends it gave them great delight and always put a grin on his face. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family and friends.
George was a master builder, Morgan horseman, professional photographer and outstanding teacher. He was a leader and used his innovative ways to put his total self into all endeavors and encouraged others to do the same. Family and friends have expressed that George made a lasting difference on their lives.
Survivors include his wife, Jean; daughter, Patricia Edwards, and her husband, Richard, of Albany; granddaughter, Julie Edwards-Fulton, and her husband, Don, and great-grandchildren, Kimberly, Cassidy and Courtney Fulton, all of Roseburg; granddaughter, Jennie Edwards-Garcia, and her husband, Aaron; great-grandchildren, Cody and Nathan Garcia of Bend; daughter, Barbara Harding, and her husband, Michael, and grandchildren, Gregory, Sara and Jonathan Harding of Roseburg; and many cousins.
A scholarship fund will be established in George’s name at Oregon State University for the Construction Education Management Program. For more information, e-mail ted.vinson@orst.edu or write to Patricia Edwards, 38577 Parkside Road, Albany, 97322.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, January 21, 2005
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor