Albert G. “Al” Oard, 84, a resident of Baker City, died June 17, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center. A private family celebration of life services will be held at a later date in the Burns Cemetery in Burns. Coles Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Al was born on Feb. 2, 1921, at Lawen to James and Clara Kesterson Oard. Their home was a ranch near Lawen, and Al attended the Crane and Drewsey grade schools. He was a 1938 graduate of Crane High School. He went on to college, attending Oregon State College at Corvallis from 1938 until May of 1942, when he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force.
He was discharged in October 1945 as a first lieutenant bomber pilot. During his tour in World War II, he served in Europe and flew the B24 Bomber. He was shot down twice. He returned to Oregon State College and graduated in 1946 with a major in forest and range management.
In December of 1945, he married Erma Lee Cawlfield at Burns. They made their home in various parts of Oregon working for the U.S. Forest Service. During his 40- year career with the Forest Service, he served as ranger, branch chief in range and the regional office in Portland, then as forest supervisor for the Malheur National Forest.
In 1974, he moved to the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest where he served as forest supervisor until his retirement in the early 1980s. Al and Erma then moved to Colorado where he managed a ranch for five years.
They enjoyed their years of retirement in Baker City going to Yuma, Ariz., every winter for 12 years. Al enjoyed fishing and hunting, going on wagon train trips and making wagon wheels. He collected for his “What Is It?” Museum in his basement, and Dutch-oven cooking. He was a great steward of the land.
Al was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Society of American Foresters, Society for Range Management, and 2nd Air Division Association, 8th Air Force. He served as the commander of the American Legion, Post No. 41, and as president of the Pacific Northwest Section Society Range Management.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Erma Oard of Baker City; his children, Mike Oard of Telluride, Colo., Jim Oard of Baton Rouge, La., and Jane Case of Prineville; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Richard Oard; and his sisters, Etta Temple and Eva Whiting.
Memorial contributions may be made to Pathway Hospice, 2192 Court Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, June 27, 2005
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor