Robert Lawrence Morcom, Sr.
June 20,1919 – January 28, 2019
Bob peacefully went to live with his heavenly Father on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, surrounded by his loving family at the age of 99 years and 7 months.
Bob was born to Thomas and Elizabeth Morcom in Star, Idaho, on June 20, 1919. He was preceded in death by Mary Ruth Morcom and Beulah Allen Morcom and his siblings, Grace Ulrich, Stanley Morcom, Albert Morcom and Eva Denham and son in law Ray Bixler of Nampa.
He married Mary Ruth Soper in May of 1946 and together they had five children: Melva Zellick of Nampa, Donna Bixler of Nampa, Robert Morcom Jr. (Vicki) of Davenport, WA, John Morcom (Christine) of Boise and Michael Morcom (Lisa) of Middleton. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Chad Miller (Jennifer), Amy Miller Hazen (Eric), Brad Zellick, Neil Zellick (Alyssa), Brian Morcom (Morgan), Kevin Morcom, McKenzie Morcom and Josh Morcom and 12 great-grandchildren with another on the way, along with many nieces and nephews.
Bob grew up in Star and graduated from Star High School in 1936. Subsequently Bob and his father homesteaded in Willowcreek, Oregon. He opened the Willowcreek Feed Store in the 1940s where he farmed and ranched. Bob also served as Malheur County clerk for 25 years and was very active in the community serving on numerous school boards. After his retirement Bob and Beulah moved to Ontario and then Nampa, Idaho. After Beulah’s passing, Bob and Mary Ruth remarried.
Bob continued to enjoy life during his retirement years. He loved to garden and lived independently until he was 97 years of age. Bob lived his life with integrity, compassion and love for his family and friends, something we will all carry with us. He will be severely missed by all.
A special thank you to Heart and Home Hospice for their loving care during his last two years.
A funeral service was held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2 at the Vale Christian Church. A viewing was held prior to the services at the church, and burial followed in the Valley View Cemetery in Vale. Arrangements are under the direction of the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel where an online guest book is available at www.nampafuneralhome.com.
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Kathryn “Katy” Louise Varney Chamberlain
May 30, 1934~ January 26, 2019
Kathryn “Katy” Louise Varney Chamberlain, 84, passed away Jan. 26, 2019. Katy was born May 30, 1934, to Harry and Kathryn Varney in Beaverton, Oregon. Katy’s family moved to Washougal, Wash., at a young age where she attended and graduated from high school.
Katy married Richard “Dick” Chamberlain in 1952 and together they raised six children: DeeAnna, Harry, Keith, Julie, Warren and Dennis.
Katy was very involved with her children in 4-H and worked full-time outside the home, keeping her very busy. Katy was a 4-H leader for cooking, meal preparation, canning, and assisted Dick as a 4-H leader for dairy, and horses and organizing trail rides to Mt. Adams. Katy was also involved in 4-H foreign exchange program and the family hosted students from Turkey and Japan.
She and Dick both worked full time at the Camas paper mill for many years. As her children grew, shift work was no longer a viable option and she became a school bus driver for Washougal School District giving her similar hours and days off as her children. While working at the paper mill, they also had a small farm, she directed children and chores; feeding horses, goats, sheep, chickens, rabbits, calves, pigs and sometimes milking cows. Also, during that time, she worked with Clark County foster care system, providing a home on the farm for several foster children.
In 1971, Dick and Katy moved their family to Vale and made a home in Willowcreek. They moved with a small herd of milk cows, established Dairylain Farms and dairied and farmed until their retirement in 2003. Katy continued to be a 4-H leader after moving to Vale as well as being an active member of local and state dairy wives organizations. Their involvement in the dairy industry took them on many adventures and grew many friendships such as their friendship with close friends, Marvin and Frances Rempel.
Many in the community will remember Katy in the 1980s for her small restaurant “Katy’s Place” where she was known for having the best food, especially her pizza.
For many years, Katy and Dick enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and spending warm winters in the south. Katy had a love for cats and “Damn Cat” accompanied them on many trips in the motor home. Katy enjoyed sewing and quilting. All her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren received quilts from Katy. She loved playing games and cards, particularly pinochle. The night before she passed, she played pinochle with friends and stayed at the head table all evening.
Katy was proceeded in death by Dick, her husband of 62 years; her parents and brother, Wes.
Katy is survived by her children: DeeAnna Chamberlain of Keizer, Oregon, Harry Chamberlain (Tammy) of Vale, Keith Chamberlain (Debbie) of Carson, Wash., Warren (Lori) Chamberlain of Vale, Dennis (Mary) Chamberlain of Ritzville, Wash. and Julie (Eric) Johnson of Idaho Falls, Idaho; grandchildren: Stephanie (Nick) Bradley, Richard (Michaela) Daughters, Christopher (Savannah) Daughters, Elizabeth Littleton, Crystle (Nate) Carpenter, Greg (Samantha) Chamberlain, Stacey Chamberlain, John (Kayleigh) Chamberlain, Melanie Chamberlain, Kimberlee Chamberlain, Darci (Marty) Allen, David (Megan) Allen, Jeremy (Anna-Marie) Chamberlain, Jason (Mary) Chamberlain, Derek (Claire) Chamberlain, Garrett Chamberlain, Cody Chamberlain, Marc Chamberlain, Kym Chamberlain, Kayla Chamberlain, Lee Johnson, Anna Johnson, Kevin (Jenny) Johnson, Ian Johnson; 31 great-grandchildren; sister, Sally (Bob) Straughan of Vale; sisters-in-law: Joy Chamberlain and Edith Erickson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to the staff at Pioneer Assisted Living Facility where Katy called home for the past 3 years.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Willowcreek Community Church.
Celebration of Katy’s life will be held Sunday, Feb. 10 at 1 p.m. at the Willowcreek Elementary School.
Deaths:
Patsy B. McConkey, 88, of Ontario, died Jan. 30. Haren-Wood Funeral Chapel, Ontario.
LEARN HOW TO PLACE AN OBITUARY: Contact Autumn Butler, Enterprise office manager, at [email protected] or call 514-473-3377.