Walter ‘Walt' Lee Eaton Sr.

Sept. 15, 1984 – May 18, 2018

Jamie Alan Zimmerlee, 33, passed away May 18 in Junction City, Oregon. A memorial service was held May 26 at his grandmother’s ranch on Rudio Mountain, between Kimberly and Dayville, Oregon.

He was born Sept. 15, 1984, in Hermiston, Oregon, to Heidi Reneé (Buce) and Richard Lee Zimmerlee. He grew up in Monument, Oregon, on his family’s ranch. He was homeschooled, then attended public school in Dayville and graduated from Union/Baker Education Services District, John Day, Oregon, in June 2003.

He married Jaime Arnett on July 4, 2008, at Lands Inn B&B on Rudio Mountain. They moved to Blaine, Washington. Together Jamie boy and Jaime girl had one son, Gavin Osric Zimmerlee, born March 3, 2010. He was a big man with a big smile and a big laugh.

He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fixing engines and mechanical things. He worked at various jobs, including as a contract laborer with Ivanof Bay Village in Alaska, a fishing guide in Alaska, a caregiver for Alternative Service Inc. in John Day, and, most recently, driving log truck for J.C. Benson II Inc., Astoria, Oregon. The other side of this happy-go-lucky kid was a troubled young man who fought as long and hard as he could. He never recovered from his sister’s death in 2003, and eventually he took his own life.

He was preceded in death by his sister Shannon Lee (Zimmerlee) Halvorson; his maternal grandfather, Thomas Alan Buce; and his paternal grandparents, Jim and Vivian Zimmerlee.

He is survived by his mother, Heidi McCrary, and Troy Allen, Kimberly; his father, Richard Zimmerlee, and wife, Debbie, Bend, Oregon; son Gavin and ex-wife Jaime; grandmother Barbara (Weatherford) Buce, La Grande, Oregon; nephew Garrett Halvorson, Prineville, Oregon; and a loving, supportive extended family.

Feb. 10, 1937 – June 17, 2018

Ernnie McCoy Dyer, 81, of Ontario died at home June 17. Condolences may be left at shaffer-jensenchapel.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, Payette, Idaho.

Aug. 24, 1942 – June 9, 2018

Walter “Walt” Lee Eaton Sr., 75, of Prairie City passed away June 9 at his residence. A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 23, at Walt and Yvonne’s home. Friends and family are invited. His urn will be entombed at Willamette National Cemetery at a later date.

Walt was born Aug. 24, 1942, in Russellville, Arkansas, to Theodore Walter Eaton and Vella Violet Reynolds and was raised by his mother and stepfather, Jay Manley. In 1960 he joined the United States Air Force, where he would serve for three years. Walt married Yvonne Freeman on June 7, 1978, in Scio, Oregon. He worked as a union carpenter and enjoyed fishing, hunting and pretty much anything having to do with the outdoors. He especially loved his grandchildren.

Walt is survived by his wife, Yvonne; two sons, Butch Eaton of Burns, Oregon, and Travis Eaton of Scio, Oregon; and two daughters, Deborah Webb of Baker City, Oregon, and Wendy Yeager of Albany, Oregon. He also leaves behind 12 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jay and Vella; son Richard Michael; and sisters Dee and Charlotte. Condolences may be offered to his family at driskillmemorialchapel.com.

Sept. 10, 1934 – Jan. 9, 2018

John “Jack” Arthur Oldham, 83, died Jan. 9 in Eugene, Oregon. John was born Sept. 10, 1934, in Miles City, Montana, to Grace and Nathan Oldham. He grew up in Stanford, Montana. Jack attended Montana State for a year and a half before enlisting in the Navy. From the Navy, to university research vessels, to Alaska ferries, to the Army Marine Corp of Engineers, Jack worked most of his life in the engine room of ships. He retired in 1999 from the Corp of Engineers where he was chief engineer of the Essayons.

Jack leaves behind his wife, Janet Sebo Oldham, whom he met and married in Seattle, Washington. Jack and Janet were married for 50 years and had one son, Andy Oldham, of Eugene, Oregon. Jack had two other sons, Steve and Jim Oldham, from a previous marriage to Margret Schick of Los Angeles, California.

In his retirement, Jack spent much of his time with Janet traveling the northwest by RV and setting up a second home in Canyon City. Jack loved reading, music, cookies, tractors, guns and his dogs.

Jack is survived by his wife, Janet, his sons Steve, Jim, and Andy and four grandchildren. As a veteran of the Korean War, a memorial service with military honors will be held on June 18 at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.