Melvin Edward Plemmons

Melvin E. Plemmons, who founded a chain of high-performance auto stores, died July 19, 2005, in John Day, due to a heart attack. He was 55. He made his home in Ritter.

A graveside service was held July 23 at the Ritter Cemetery. Mr. Greg Bowman officiated.

Mr. Plemmons grew up in Corvallis and graduated from Corvallis High School in 1969. He and his brother, Glenn, built a chain of high-performance auto stores and expanded into real estate and timber properties in Eastern Oregon.

Mr. Plemmons kept his favorite property on the John Day River and recently built his dream home on his ranch. He loved the outdoors and worked as a rancher and logger. Though he had many hobbies, hunting and fishing were his passions and he always made time for his family, neighbors and friends.

Mr. Plemmons is survived by his wife, Janice; son, Jamie; mother, Gladys Burger; brothers, Glenn and Kevin; sisters, Maureen Jondahl, Diane Jarvi and Joan Lowe; one granddaughter, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Edgar, in 1968.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association in care of Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845.