Ralph L Parkhurst July 14, 1942 – May 24, 2017
Passed away after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Born in Ontario, Oregon to Mayfred, and Vera Parkhurst, Ralph was preceded in death by his parents and his grandson Dustin Parkhurst.
Ralph graduated from Vale High School in 1960, once graduated he served seven years in the Navy as a machinist mate on the Midway and Bonnhomme Richard.
He married Patricia Scott in 1963 and they had three children, Scott Parkhurst (wife Sheila), Ginger Parkhurst-Taplin (husband Jeff), and Kris Parkhurst-Freeman. He was blessed with eight grandchildren, Dustin, Cody (wife Emma), Tyler, Shane, David, Jorgi, Billy, and P.J.
He became a refrigeration engineer and worked for Americold Corporation for 36 years and retired. Once retired he contracted for over eight years with Ingersol Rand.
After his family; his passions were farming, gardening, traveling, hunting and fishing. Sumpter, Oregon was considered a second home to him. He worked his tail off in order to enjoy his life to the fullest, a very busy man, full of fun, friends (and was always making new ones), and laughter.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, May 31, 11:00 am, at the Keizer Elks, 4250 Cherry Ave NE, Keizer OR 97303.
Doris Arlene Robertson
Nov. 3, 1929 – May 19, 2017
Doris Arlene (McGourty) Robertson, 87, passed away on May 19, 2017. She was born November 3, 1929 in Ronan, Montana to Edward and Ellen McGourty. The family moved to Jamieson, Oregon in 1935 as part of the new Vale Irrigation Project. She attended elementary school in Jamieson and later graduated from Vale Union High School in 1947. She married Wilmer Robertson on January 11, 1948 and they made their home in Willowcreek where they farmed and raised their four children.
Doris was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker. She spent countless hours cooking, cleaning and doing whatever was needed on the farm. Her grandchildren loved her cooking, especially her fried potatoes. She was a talented seamstress and took pride in all she did. She was involved in the community and was an active member of the Willowcreek Community Church. She loved visiting with people and enjoyed the time she spent with friends and family. In 2015, she moved to Pioneer Place Assisted Living in Vale where she enjoyed reconnecting with old friends. We would like to thank the Pioneer Place staff for their caring support.
Doris is survived by her children Diane Smith, Jack (Marliss) Robertson, Mike (Kathleen) Robertson, and Janie (Mark) Hawes; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; her sister Beatrice Scholtes and sister-in-law Helen McGourty. She was preceded in death by her husband Wilmer; three sisters (Dorothy Miner, Elizabeth Whitbeck and Marie Moonier); her brother (Edward “Bud” McGourty) and son-in-law Larry Smith. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 26, at Vale Christian Church. Memorials may be sent to the Willowcreek Community Church.
Published May 24, 2017
Mary Akiko Takami
Sept. 10, 1921 – May 15, 2017
Mary Akiko Takami, 95, Vale, Oregon passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family on Tuesday, May 16, 2017.
Mary was born September 10, 1921 in Gresham, Oregon, the third daughter of Kiuda and Shizuyo Ouchida. She was raised in Gresham and graduated from Centennial High School. Later, she enrolled in fashion design school in Portland, Oregon.
During WWII, Mary and her family were relocated to Nyssa, Oregon as farm laborers for the Amalgamated Sugar Company.
Mary met “Sonny” Yoshio Takami, and they married in September 1947. Together they raised four children; Wayne, (twins) Janet, Janis, and Carol.
Mary worked as a cook at a Nyssa care center and as a clothes presser at the Nyssa Cleaner. She was also a housekeeper & caregiver for the Sheldelin Family. After getting married, Mary was a field crew boss for many years and worked as a floral designer for 25 years at Fangen Floral (Nyssa), Eastside Florist (Ontario), Flower Trunk (Ontario) and Flowers by Betty (Nyssa).
Mary was active and involved in the Nyssa High School PTA, Mrs. Virginia Steffen’s Sewing Club, Vale Garden Club, Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple Fujinkai, and Madame Fujima’s Toei Kai Dance Club.
Mary’s interests were cooking, gardening, sewing, quilting, paper crafts, and art. Mary also enjoyed bowling and fishing. With a smile she would proudly state,”Raising my children and grandchildren are my fondest memories. I enjoy watching them grow up.”
Mary is survived by her daughters, Janet (Steve) Koda of Vale, OR, Janis (James) Couey of Colorado Springs, CO and Carol (Roger) Tolman of Fruitland, ID. Grandchildren include Keely (Rodney) Davison, Ronny Koda, James Couey, Jennifer Couey, Adam (Jen) Tolman, and Collin Tolman. Great-grandchildren are Wesley Paget, Adalyn Tolman, Beckett Tolman, and Archie Davison. She is also survived by her younger brother, Robert Ouchida, youngest sister, Rosie Kuroye, and numerous nephews and nieces. Mary was preceded in death by her son, husband, parents, and four brothers and two sisters.
Services will be held Friday, May 26, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple, in Ontario, OR. A private family burial will follow at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either Heart ‘n Home Hospice and Palliative Care at 1107 NW 11th Street, Fruitland, ID 83619, www.goHOSPICE.com; or Care At Home at 929 NW 16th Street, Fruitland, ID 83619.
Condolences can be made to the family at www.lienkaemper-thomason.com.