Baker City, Oregon
Wilbur James McGaughey, 84, a longtime Baker City resident, died May 22, 2002, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center.
Mass of Christian Burial will be said at 3 p.m. Friday at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, First and Church streets. The Rev. Robert C. Irwin will celebrate the Mass. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Visitations will be until 7 o’clock tonight and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St.
Mr. McGaughey was born on Aug. 21, 1917, at McCraken, Kan. He was a son of Joseph Thomas and Nellie Theresa Casey McGaughey. He was educated at Richfield, Idaho. On April 24, 1940, he married Margaret Friand at Shoshone, Idaho. He farmed in Richfield until he enlisted in the U.S. Army. During that time, his wife and children lived at Twin Falls, Idaho.
After his release from the service, they returned to Richfield, until moving to Baker City in 1957. They had seven children. His wife, Margaret, died in October 1996. In June 2000, he married Helen Query.
He spent his working years as a driller with construction with the Laborers Union, and worked on the Brownlee and Oxbow Dam projects. He also worked on the Hells Canyon Road construction as well as various other locations. He retired at the age of 62.
After his retirement, he was able to spend his time doing what he loved to do: gardening, fishing, and stripping wire to take to Portland for sale. He was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret; his parents; two sisters; two brothers; and two grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Helen, of Emmett, Idaho; children, James and Sharon McGaughey of Redmond, Joe and Joyce McGaughey of Nampa, Idaho, John McGaughey of Salem, Joan and Blanie George of Baker City, and Jean and Ronnie Tobin, and Judy McGaughey, all of Seattle, Wash., and Juanita and Leonard Barker of Beaumont, Texas; brothers, Barney F. McGaughey of Moses Lake, Wash., and Don McGaughey of Palm Desert, Calif.; sister, Lorraine Bell, of Royal City, Wash.; 21 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis de Sales Cathedral or to a charity of one’s choice through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, May 24, 2002
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor