Baker City, Oregon
Durward Howard Petry, 70, of Baker City, died July 10, 2006, at his home.
His memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Thursday at Gray’s West & Co., 1500 Dewey Ave. Pastor Lennie Spooner of the First Church of the Nazarene will officiate. There will be a reception afterward at the home of Jeff Petry.
Durward was born on Feb. 20, 1936, at Seattle, Wash., to George D. and Margaret J. Petry. He graduated from high school in 1954 at Richland, Wash., and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve. He moved to Baker City in 1956, where he served in the Army National Guard of Oregon and met his wife, Joan Searles. They were married on Nov. 23, 1956.
Pete had a distinguished career and an exciting life. He served on the Baker Police Force from 1959 to 1973. He resigned from the police force as a detective sergeant in 1973 to become a welfare investigator for the State of Oregon. He worked in that position until his retirement in 1995. After retirement, the Petrys enjoyed winters at Parker, Ariz., with good friends.
Durward enjoyed many years of public service and was elected as the president of the Oregon Public Employees Union (OPEU) from 1981 to 1985 and served on the board for 16 years. He loved OPEU and was proud that he broke a long tradition that all previous presidents had been from Salem. In 1986, he was asked to return and served another three years as president.
Durward loved the outdoors, especially snowmobiling, four-wheeling and gardening. He was happiest when spending time with his family, grandchildren and closest friends. He took particular joy and pride in the accomplishments of his family, including his younger brother, children and grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Joan; his children, Cindy Marie and her husband, Steve McLean, Tammy Joanne Rino, Jeffery Durward and his wife, Carol Petry, all of Baker City, and Kimberly Kaye Knaus, who has served for 25 years in the U.S. Navy; 10 grandchildren, Gregory, Hilary and Peggy McLean, Ashley, Anthony and Alyson Rino, Jerame and Courtney Petry and Karissa and Kasey Knaus; a brother, Larry, and his wife, Nita Petry, and their children, Thomas and Traci of Renton, Wash.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George D. and Margaret Petry.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, July 14, 2006
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor