William Kitt Lear
July 24, 1937 – June 8, 2017
William Kitt Lear passed away peacefully on June 8, 2017 in Ontario, Oregon. He was born in Elko, Nevada on July 24, 1937 to Bill and Louise Lear.
Kitt spent his life ranching beginning in Elko County, Nevada where his family ranched. He raised his family on the ranch in Currie, Nevada. His love of ranching was carried on in Unity, Oregon where he purchased a ranch in 2005 and moved his cows to their new home.
To say that Kitt lived through a great deal of change in ranching would be an understatement. But, he was always steady through hard work and perseverance. In 2015, due to health issues, he sold the Unity ranch. In 2016, he sold his beloved cow herd to a young rancher. While he was sad to see the “girls” go, he was thankful that his herd would be in good hands.
Kitt is survived by his children Norman (Treesa), Round Mountain, Nevada; Wynette (Mark) Beckett, Elko, Nevada; Sheri (John) Nalivka, Vale, Oregon; and Dana, Fairbanks, Alaska; his grandchildren Valerie, Beau and Russell, Susie, Joe and Ross; and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Kay (Kathy), nephews Bill & Wyatt, and niece, Mary Lou.
We invite you to join us in Elko, Nevada to say good-bye to Kitt, our father, grandfather, and friend and to celebrate his life.
Graveside services will be June 24 at 11 a.m. at the Elko Cemetery and will be followed by a celebration of life in the Elko City Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Northeastern Nevada Museum 1515 Idaho Street, Elko, Nev.; the Elko Cancer Network PO Box 712, Elko, Nev.; or a charity of your choice.
Funeral arrangements are provided by Lienkaemper Funeral Home in Ontario, Oregon and Burns Funeral Home in Elko, Nevada.
John G. Tucke
Jan. 28, 1931 – June 7, 2017
John G. Tucke, 86, a longtime resident of Malheur County, passed away on Wednesday, June 7, 2017.
John was born on Jan. 28, 1931, in Burns, Oregon to a pioneering family. John’s great-great-great-grandfather led wagon trains across the Oregon Trail, settling in Burns on what is now the Malheur Bird Refuge.
John attended grade school in New Plymouth, Idaho, and graduated from Vale High School. He joined the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He flew on airplanes into the eye of typhoons taking various measurements. John served in Guam and the South Pacific, from 1951 to 1954. He was always proud of his service.
After the Air Force, he farmed at Willowcreek from 1954 to 1964; at that time, he purchased the Willowcreek Store. He operated the store until 1993.
John also started the Willow Creek Irrigation in 1997, retiring in 2006.
John was proceeded in death by his parents, Bill and Clara Tucke; sister, Annabell Perkins (Lawrence); brother, Wilber (Lavonna) Tucke; and uncle; Wilber Springer. He is survived by his longtime companion Sylvia Seiler. They could be found many nights dancing the night away at one of the local senior citizen centers.
He will also be missed by many friends and family members too numerous to count.
Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, June 16, 2017 at the Dell Cemetery in Jamieson, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ontario Senior Citizens Center, 698 NW 8th Ave, Ontario.
John loved well and was well loved. Condolences may be sent to the family at Haren-Wood.com.