AUHS CLASS of 1960

Saturday, June 4, 2016

David Ernest Strong

· August 18, 1942 - May 30, 2016

· Inman, South Carolina

· David Ernest Strong, 73, passed away Monday, May 30, 2016 at the Regional Hospice Home in Spartanburg, SC. Mr. Strong was born in Albany, Oregon on August 18, 1942, a son of the late ErnestEdward and Lelia Ruth Dally Strong. He was the beloved husband of Joan Ellison Strong. Mr. Strong proudly served his country in the U.S. Marines and held the rank of Captain. He was a combat engineer in the Vietnam War.
Surviving in addition to his wife Joan are two sons, Steven Daniel Strong and his wife Krystal of San Antonio, TX, Sean David Strong and his wife Tammy also of San Antonio, TX ,two brothers, Ron Strong of Albany, Oregon and Jon Strong and his wife Bonita also of Albany, Oregon. He has a grandson, Jaxon Riley Strong. He was predeceased by a brother, Daniel Strong.
No local memorial services are planned at this time.
An online guest register is available at: www.seawright-funeralhome.com.

Friday, June 3, 2016

Carol Primrose Enden

Oct. 22, 1942 — May 26, 2016

Carol Primrose Enden, 73, of Lake Tapps, Washington, formerly of Albany, died May 26 from acute myeloid leukemia.

She was born in Seattle, Washington, to Donald Lloyd and Katherine Primrose. She married Dr. James A. Enden; they were married for 17 years.

A celebration-of-life service will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 23, at the Messiah Lutheran Church in Auburn, Washington.

Carol was very generous in love and spirit. She was a Master Reading and First Grade Teacher for 35 years. Carol was a member and mentor of the Boy Scouts, and loved her Lake Tapps, Washington, waterfront home viewing Mt. Rainier. She traveled while piloting the motor home throughout North America while Dr. Enden navigated. Dr. James Enden passed away Nov. 11, 2010.

She was a member of Rainbow for Girls, Alpha Phi, Seattle Junior League, Retired Teacher’s Association and the Seattle Tennis Club. She was a Seahawks, Huskies and Beavers fan.

She is survived by her companion and dear friend, Frank Priem of Kent, Washington; son Scott Weide (Casey) of Auburn, Washington; daughter Marjorie Weide of Tacoma, Washington; brother David Primrose and family of Irvine, California; sister Ann Primrose Dortch and family of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania; granddaughter Zoe; and stepgrandson Andrew.

Memorial contributions may be made to the leukemia foundation.

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Dixie Lou Keller Trout

July 16, 1942 — April 29, 2016

There’s a new star shining in the heavens tonight. Dixie Lou Keller Trout, 73, of Keizer left this earth on April 29, 2016, after a tough battle with cancer.

Born on July 16, 1942 in Albany to John and Annabelle Keller, she graduated from Albany High School in 1960 and OCE (Western Oregon University) in 1964. There she met and married the love of her life, Steve Trout. They experienced 52 wonderful years together.

Her professional career included teaching in San Jose, California, and Medford at Washington Elementary School. While experiencing a very successful career, the pride of her life was her family — husband (Steve), daughter and son-in-law (Jennifer and Josh Palanuk), and especially her grandsons, Braden and Tyler — who were the light of her heart. She lived to support them.

She was preceded in death by her mother, father and brother Duane.

Dixie was a member of Calvary Chapel Salem and had a sweet love for her Lord. That love radiated out as a loving, caring, sweet disciple. Her grandson wrote, “Heaven gained an angel tonight. You will forever be in my heart.” This reflects the sweet legacy she leaves behind.

A private family graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, May 6, at Oakville Cemetery. A public celebration of life in Dixie’s honor will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 7, at East Salem Community Center, 1850 45th Ave., Salem.

Assisting the family is Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service.

Monday, February 15, 2016

Mr. Darle West,

Teacher

Darle Shelby West

July 10, 1923 — Feb. 7, 2016

Darle Shelby West was born in Trent to Lewis and Vera Wheeler West. He attended Trent and Woodrow Wilson Junior High Schools where he discovered his love for music, graduating from Eugene High School in 1942. He received his bachelor’s degree in music education in 1947, playing weekends with the Harmony Notes. He earned his master’s in 1953 from University of Oregon. In 1947 he married Margret “Marty” Jennings of Portland and began his music career with the Portland public schools and played bassoon with the Portland Opera Orchestra.

In 1949 he began his 28 years of teaching band, orchestra and chorus in Albany schools. Albany’s first band room was located in a basement made of brick and concrete that made acoustics impossible. To improve the sound the band mothers attached flour sacks and burlap to the walls. Under his leadership, with support from parents, the city’s enthusiasm — and later a new music program with the addition of South Albany High School — Albany’s music program grew and became strong. Darle helped plan South Albany High School’s music rooms and music program. A favorite memory was receiving the Blue Ribbon and Trophy given to AUHS for the Best Marching Band in the1956 Portland Rose Festival Parade. His teaching assignments were varied and his accomplishments were numerous. His bands and his students won several honors in district and state contests; he introduced half-time entertainment at football games (which began as a simple “A” formation then grew into complex shows). His bands also participated in parades such as Timber Carnival and Veterans Day; joint band and choir concerts inviting interesting, well-known musicians, for example Jester Hairston, were highpoints. He also privately taught hundreds of students to help them advance their instrumental talents, and directed a local orchestra for musicals.

Darle held memberships in Oregon Music Educators, Northwest Music Educators Association and Bandmasters of the Northwest; taught at summer music camps at University of the Pacific; and adjudicated solo and band contests throughout Oregon. His life was MUSIC: mastering the bassoon, teaching and inspiring students.

He is survived by his wife, Marty, of 68 years; son Linn (wife Viki); daughters Darla and Janis; granddaughter Michelle (about to graduate from Mills in music); and grandson Christopher.

No service is planned. Donations may be made to the University of Oregon School of Music.

Arrangements entrusted to Musgrove Family Mortuary. Please access the obituary and you are invited to sign the guestbook at musgroves.com.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Terry Huston

Feb. 11, 1942 — Jan. 9, 2016

On Jan. 9, we said goodbye to the rock of our family. Our sweet husband, dad and papa lost his long-time battle with heart failure, and is now safe in Jehovah’s memory. We eagerly await the time when we will all be together again in Paradise.

Terry was born Feb. 11, 1942, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Guy and Hattie Huston. He attended Albany Union High School and graduated in June 1960. In high school he played football and lettered in wrestling.

After high school Terry volunteered time to his God by spending four years at the World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses from 1961 to 1965. While in New York, he met the love of his life, Miriam Bagnell, and they were married March 6, 1965. They first made their home in Massachusetts, having three girls, Pollyanna, Penny and Peggy. The family made the cross country move back to Terry’s roots and settled in Albany in 1977. Terry held several positions during his career, but he was most proud of his business, Terry Huston Janitorial Service, which gainfully employed all three of his girls and most of his sons-in-law in their teenage years. Terry retired in 2006.

Terry loved being a husband, father, grandfather and most recently a great-grandfather but being a servant of Jehovah was his most important role. Terry dedicated his life to Jehovah on Aug. 7, 1954. Throughout his life he served Jehovah as a Special Pioneer, Regular Pioneer, Congregation Elder, and worked with the Regional Building Committee. Of all his privileges, he loved talking to others about the hope of God’s Kingdom. He did so tirelessly up to his death.

Terry loved the beach, loved preaching and loved ice cream! Papa you will be missed. Terry is survived by his wife of 50 years, Miriam; daughters Pollyanna Spegel and husband Jimmy, Penny Bailey and husband Stan, and Peggy Stiles and husband Gene; grandchildren Lillian Barnes and husband Ed, Megan Spegel, Benjamin Bailey and Emma Stiles; great-grandchild Violet Barnes; and brother Richard Coe.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 150 S. Eighth St., Lebanon.

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Obituary for our beloved teacher,

Elmo Ward Ledbetter

April 7, 1924 — Dec. 14, 2015

Ward Ledbetter, 91, of Albany died Monday at Samaritan Evergreen Hospice House. Born in Bixby, Oklahoma, to John and Zylfa (Hall) Ledbetter, Ward grew up in Bixby and then earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Tulsa. He earned his master’s degree in education from the University of Indiana. He entered the US Navy in 1943 and served as a gunner during World War II. Ward married Oresa “Imogene” Pulliam on Jan. 5, 1946, in Bixby. She preceded him in death on Sept. 25 of this year.

Ward began his career as principal of a first through 12th grade country school in Tualla, Oklahoma. This cured him of wanting to be a principal, and they moved to Coquille in 1955 where he took a teaching job for one year. They came to Albany in 1956 to teach at Albany Union High School. After a long career at AUHS, Ward became an instructor/professor at LBCC until his retirement in 1986.

He loved fishing, hunting and camping, and was an avid sports fan, particularly football. He was a member of the VFW, and he and Imogene were members of the Ready Roamers. Ward attended Oak Creek Christian Center.

Survivors include daughter Sharon Cloutier of Salem; son Keith Ledbetter of Tucson, Arizona; four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and two stepgreat-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Imogene; brothers John and Orlee; and sister Maxine Beeson.

At Ward’s request there will be no services. Private entombment was in the Willamette Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Contributions may be made to Samaritan Evergreen Hospice House in care of Fisher Funeral Home, 306 Washington St. S.W., Albany, OR 97321.

Online condolences for the family may be posted at www.fisherfuneralhome.com.

Sunday, October 18, 2015

The Class of ’60 Reunions

just get better and better!

Georgeann (Brown) and Verne Casey opened their beautiful yard and vintage grain barn for our 55th Class Reunion. Worker Bulldogs were Georgeann and Verne, Linda (Geister) McCrary, Georgia Alden Aas, Judy (Rich) Bailey, Dorothy Davis, Lucy (Rogers) Hodson, Nancy (Richards) Hayes, Mary (Buerge) King, Joyce (Cray) Barrett, Betty (Coates) Thorn, and Bev (Rogers) and LeRoy Haven.