Orville Marion Philpott Jr.
August 3, 1931~February 16, 2019
We lost a human history book when Orville passed peacefully Saturday evening with two of his children by his side. He was born in Nehawka, Nebraska, to Orville Philpot Sr and Lana Jane Bowne. He gained a brother, Arthur Elmer Phillpott, in July of 1933, another brother, Robert Roland Philpot, in March of 1936. A beloved little sister, Mary Alyce Philpot/ Clarke, showed up in July of 1937.
Orville’s family moved a lot in the early years. Orville went to school in Nehawka; Philpot School, located between Nehawka and Weeping Water; Coburg, Iowa; Memphis, Nebraska; Colorado Springs, Colorado; two in Illinois; and then finishing high school in Ashland, Oregon. April of 1950 Orville rode his old motorbike to Ironside, Oregon, where began his lifelong career of being a cow puncher. He worked for the likes of Gus Davis, Jerry Farley, Ed Anderson, Hardy Murry, Carol Locey, Fred Walters, and Bill Glenn, to list a few.
In the winter of 1952, while working in Burns, Oregon on the McCray ranch, Orville got his draft notice to join the U.S. Army. He had the pleasure of “visiting” Fort Lewis, Fort Hood, and Fort Huachuca. He was released in 1954 from the Army.
In 1956 he met his wife-to-be at a dance. Orville married Lavelle Flora Bronson on July 7, 1956, in Winnemucca, Nevada. Together they welcomed five children into this world, David Lee Sr, Patricia Lynn, Michael Alan, Joseph Dean, and Johnathan Dale. In 1959, Orville and Lavelle bought a little place along the Malheur River, east of Vale, Oregon. Then in 1961, they traded that for a larger place on 5th Avenue, north of Vale, where he resided till his passing.
Orville cow punched, built miles of range fences, milked cows for almost everyone in the Willowcreek valley, did farm work for others, drove farm truck for a lot of people, worked the feed store and the service corner in Vale, and farmed his own place and multiple rented places over the years. Orville will be remembered for his oral history and storytelling skills.
Orville was preceded in death by his wife, parents, brothers, and sister. He is survived by his five children, 12 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren.
Per his request, there will be no services. We may have a graveside when we put him and his wife’s ashes to rest at a later date at Malheur City Cemetery.
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Teresa Ann Delgado Pierce Harrod
June 19, 1939~ February 14, 2019
Teresa “Tedde” Ann Delgado Pierce Harrod of Moses Lake, Washington, returned home to her Heavenly Father on Thursday, February 14, at the age of 79. She passed peacefully with her husband Jerry by her side. Tedde was born to the late Ignasio A. Delgado (1920-1961) and Helen Lucille Pierce (1920-1950) in Pocatello, Idaho, on June 19, 1939.
At the age of 2, she came to live with and was adopted by her grandparents Jonathan Wesley Pierce (1892-1953) and Esther Risenmay (1901-1991). She was raised with their children Harvey Eugene, Robert Dale, Lois Awanh, James Wesley, who are all deceased, and Esther Lorine, still living.
She attended high school in Vale, Oregon, where she met her high school sweetheart Gerald Wayne Harrod. They were married May 22, 1958, in Vale and were later sealed for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls temple on May 21, 1962.
Tedde was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many callings throughout the years including Primary, Relief Society and Young Women’s plus other various callings. She always served valiantly and with all her heart and talents. She worked as a secretary for most of her life, with her last job working for the school district in Moses Lake, Washington. In 2009 she served a mission with Jerry in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Temple Square in the Genealogy Library doing what they loved together. Tedde loved to sew, draw and do crafts. She was a fervent reader and loved her family.
Tedde is survived by her husband Gerald; her daughter Lori (Ronald) Gatter; son Michael (Terri) Harrod; and son Timothy Lowell (1966-1968) who preceded her in death. She has six grandchildren, Brandon (Kelsea) Burton, Drew (Kylie) Burton, Dax Harrod, BreeAnn Hamersly, Dane (Stephanie) Harrod, Jerilyn (Brandeis) Truman. She is blessed with 12 great-grandchildren that lovingly call her “GG.”
Tedde has requested that no services be held at this time and her family is honoring that request. The family asks that if you would like to send a memorial donation, send to: Assured Hospice, 1417 S. Pioneer Way, Moses Lake, WA 98837.
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Chuck Kuwahara
Jan. 2, 1960~ Feb. 21, 2019
Chuck Kuwahara, 59, of Halfway, Oregon, died Thursday, Feb. 21 at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho. A Celebration of life will be held (time and date TBA).
Charles “Chuck” Walter was born to his mother Elaine and her first husband January 2, 1960 in Salem, Oregon. His parents divorced when he was still quite young. Elaine then married Fred Kuwahara who raised Chuck as his own son and formally adopted when Chuck was 9. He was raised in Vale, Oregon. As a young man, he enjoyed his time with his Uncle Marvin who taught him how to make chili. Chuck was in a stage band and a Jazz band and played the bass guitar in both. He graduated from Vale High School in 1978. Chuck attended Treasure Valley Community College in 1980 where he attained his Associates Degree. He continued his education at Oregon State University and earned a Bachelor’s degree in both Language Arts and Social Studies. Chuck had initially worked to attain a degree in geology. However, that changed after a professor at OSU tried to get him to flunk out. This experience is what led Chuck to pursue teaching, so that he would become a better teacher then he ever had.
Chuck met his wife Brenda Ghrist on a blind date their mutual friend had set up. He was 45 minutes late because he had played a game of horseshoes and had gone home to shower. This was a habit that Chuck never grew out of, he was never on time anywhere- ever. Luckily for Chuck, by the second date Brenda was enamored by his sense of humor and decided Chuck was the man for her. They were married August 14, 1989 in Winnemucca, Nevada.
Chuck became a father in 1986 when his daughter Sylvia “Sylveeney” was born and again in 1990, when his son Jacob “Boy Child” entered the world. He was a proud dad who enjoyed taking his kids hunting and was with them when each filled their first buck tag. If the kids got injured he would quote “It’s merely a flesh wound” or “It’ll stop hurting when you’re married”. Jacob said, “My favorite thing about him was his sense of humor and his laugh, it was so infectious”.
Chuck had a love for the outdoors. Consequently, this love is what drew him to Halfway, Oregon. His friend, Gene Bates, had heard through the grapevine that Pine Eagle High School was hiring and encouraged Chuck to go after the teaching position. He was hired in 1985 and became both a beloved English and History Teacher. Chuck was known to his students as Mr. K, Kuwie, or Kuwahara. Mr.K was a fun, inspiring and passionate teacher. He said, “If I can make a difference in just one kid, then I have done my job.” Often he required his students to memorize various quotes, many of which his former students can still recall today. He was empathetic and sometimes books, quotes, or stories could bring him to tears. Mr. K. would play guitar in class on special days and could with his wit, challenge his students to dig a little deeper or to try a little harder. He loved teaching with his whole heart and achieved his goal of making a positive impact. Chuck retired in 2015, but he never passed up an opportunity to teach life lesson or philosophize when he got the chance.
On November 13, 2017, Chuck suffered a stroke. He was frustrated because he knew so much language and articulation and yet, he could not get it out. This hindrance drove Chuck to fight and to work hard to recover. His speech therapist was so impressed by Chuck’s perseverance that she eventually told him she could do no more. Chuck said the stroke taught him to appreciate the little things and not to take one day for granted, “Carpe Diem”.
Chuck enjoyed getting fire wood with his faithful dog Frapkin. His hobbies included whittling wood, making wooden canes, walking sticks and wall art. He would find pieces of wood, sand them down and allow the natural colors and shapes to come out on their own. He would then add strips of leather of gems, rocks, or arrowheads.
Chuck relished huckleberry and mushrooming picking, collecting copious amount of hats, watching and laughing to “The Big Lebowski and Monty Python”. He appreciated good music and loved to play the guitar and sing along. A favorite song he’d play was “Seven Spanish Angels” by Willie Nelson. Chuck treasured Spring break trips with his family that included exploring the Oregon Coast, Yellowstone and Mesa Verde’. He adored and especially loved playing with his beautiful grandkids.
Chuck was preceded in death by his brother Nic Kuwahara. He is survived by his wife Brenda of 29 years; daughter Sylvia and her husband Dustin Gratiot; son Jacob and wife Chelsea Kuwahara; parents Fred and Elaine Kuwahara of Vale, Oregon; sister Teresa and her husband Bryan Bitting of Boise, Idaho; grandchildren Harper, Olivia, and Hudson Gratiot.
For those would like to make a donation in memory of Chuck the family suggests either Creating Memories (organization that connects children and adults with nature to create memories) or the American Heart Association through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home and Cremation Services PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834. The family requests stories of Chuck be shared to [email protected] Online condolences can be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com
DEATHS:
• Gilbert John Gallegos Jr., 71, of Nyssa, died Feb. 16 at home. Lienkaemper Chapel, Nyssa.
• Darryl E. Poulsen Sr., 82, of Fruitland, died Feb. 19. Haren-Wood Funeral Chapel, Payette.
• June Cooper, 88, of Ontario, died Feb. 19. Haren-Wood Funeral Chapel, Ontario.
• Ivan F. Stoliarov, 86, of New Plymouth, died Feb. 20 at his home in New Plymouth. Haren-Wood Funeral Chapel, Payette.
• Rafael Torres, of Payette, died Feb. 20 at his home in Payette. Haren-Wood Funeral Chapel, Payette.
• Axella E. Stephen, 95, of Ontario, died Feb. 22. Haren-Wood Funeral Chapel, Ontario.
• Sandra S. Snyder, 73, of New Plymouth, died Feb. 23 Haren-Wood Funeral Chapel, Ontario.
• Gail Gardner Atkinson, 59, of Boise, died Feb. 22. Bowman Funeral, Garden City, Idaho.
LEARN HOW TO PLACE AN OBITUARY: Contact Autumn Butler, Enterprise office manager, at [email protected] or call 514-473-3377.