George Byron Morton, 85, of Baker City, died May 9, 2005 at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
Graveside memorial services will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery. Baker City AMVETS Post 1874 will conduct military rites.
George was born in Baker City on Jan. 8, 1920, to Zarelda Mae Sparks and George B. Morton.
Upon graduation from Huntington High School, he began work for the Union Pacific Railroad. He was then drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942, where he served in campaigns in Sicily, Naples, Foggia, Rome-Arno, Southern France and Germany. During his time in the service, he attained the rank of Staff Sargent and was a tank commander in Company B, 191st Tank Battalion, and received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
Following the war, he returned to work for the Union Pacific Railroad. Upon retiring from the railroad, he purchased Ray’s Grocery in Huntington. After retirement from the store, he moved to Baker City.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He belonged to the V.F.W., American Legion and Disabled American Veterans.
George is survived by his wife, Letha, of Baker City; two daughters, Shirley, and son-in-law, Dale King, of Medford and Mary Lou Kendrick and son-in-law, Jeff Blanchard, of Anacortes, Wash.; a son, Grant Morton, and daughter-in-law, Rebecca, of Pullman, Wash.; four grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Irene, and half brothers, Willis and Henry Foersterling.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Senior Center through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, May 13, 2005
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor