Local Hunter Shot To Death
Gordon Spray, 54, La Grande, became the first recorded fatality of the 1973 Oregon deer season during the weekend. At least one other hunter was shot to death and two died of apparent heart attacks.
Police say Spray was hunting with Lynn Miller, 22, Baker, when he was accidentally shot to death Saturday near Goose Creek about 50 miles southwest of Baker.
The Observer
Monday, October 8, 1973
Front Page
Gordon Spray of Century Estates died Saturday, Oct. 6 in a hunting accident 10 miles south of Unity in the Grouse Creek area. He was 54.
Spray was born in Union June 5, 1919, the son of Ralph and Mabel Spray. He was a veteran of World War II an a member of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, United Transportation Services, First Christian Church and B. P. O. E. Elks 433.
Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Sharon Clark, Pendleton; one son, Gordon Dennis Spray, College Place, Washington; one sister, Mrs. Virginia (Ron) Lovely, La Grande; and two brothers, Gerald Spray and John Spray, both of La Grande.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 2 p.m. at Dempsey’s Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Jack Hart officiating. Burial will be in the Union Cemetery.
The Observer
Monday, October 8, 1973
Page 10
Contributed by: Tom Childers