Gifford Parker, age 87, died Tuesday, March 24, 1998 at the Amber Valley Care Center.
Memorial services were held Tuesday, March 31, 1998 at the Baker Elks Lodge.
Mr. Parker was a long-time Union County resident, moving to Pendleton in May of 1997. He was born April 18, 1910, on the family homestead on Anthony Creek, eight miles west of North Powder, which is not the winter feeding range for elk. He moved to a ranch in Ellis Lane in 1914 and resided there until moving to Pendleton due to declining health in May 1997. The ranch was registered as a century Farm in 1986.
He attended and graduated from North Powder High School. He participated in football, basketball, and baseball. He played quarterback for 4 years and was never substituted.
One September 10, 1929 he married Elfleda “Middie” Maxwell. She preceded him in death in 1977.
Gifford was the former Mayor of North Powder and served on the school board. He was a life member of the BPOE and a 54 year member of the Masonic Lodge. He was an ardent fisherman and hunter and well known throughout the area for his prowess at both. He enjoyed playing cards and spent many hours with friends in a friendly game.
Survivors include; daughters, Duveen Schubert of Pendleton and Marcia Craig of Lake Havasu City, Arizona; a sister, Louise Dodson, of North Powder; four grandchildren; ten great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and a special friend, Rose Moore, of Union, Oregon.
Memorial donations may be made directly to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, 3101 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, Oregon 97201 or through the Bishop Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 325, Pendleton, Oregon 97801. The family requests no flowers.
The Record Courier, Baker City, Oregon, April 1998
Contributed by: Belva Ticknor