Michael Earl Greear

Michael Earl Greear, 66, died May 16 at his Prairie City home.

Greear was born May 23, 1949, in Prairie City, to Elwood and Leola Greear. He grew up in Bates where he attended school until the third grade. He then attended Oregon State School for the Deaf in Salem, his second home, where he made many lifelong friends.

He attended Utah State University in Logan, Utah, where he met the love of his life, Claudia Stowell. They married on Jan. 22, 1971, in Bountiful, Utah.

They lived in Bates and then Prairie City. He worked as a millwright at Hines Lumber — later, John Day Lumber. His hobbies included classic car restoration, carpentry, hunting, mechanics, camping, motocross and snowmobiling.

He and his wife were active in the Grant County Snowballers and the Grant County Kruzers.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Claudia; daughters, Randi (Mike) Cole, Kandi (Richard Teel) Greear, Millie (John) Hicks and Kristen (Jared) Horrell; and six grandchildren, Mackenzie, Brandon, Tyler, Brett, Josie and Riley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elwood and Leola Greear, and his brother, Richard “Dick” Greear.

Arrangements are under the care of Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845.

For condolences, visit www.driskillmemorialchapel.com.