Honoring Tom Holman

Albany Democrat Herald,
Monday, Nov. 21, 2016

"WAHS Honors Longtime Educator with  'Tom Holman Court''.

Tom Holman watched a video about his accomplishments while seated next
to his wife Lois Holman during a court dedication ceremony at West
Albany High School on Sunday.  Tom Holman became head basketball coach
at Albany Union High School in 1954, and later became the principal and
mayor of Albany.

Mr. Holman was born in Baker City and played several sports as a youth. 
"It sounded like there wasn't anything Tom wasn't good at," Susie
Orsborn West Albany principal said.  OSC offered him a scholarship to
play either football or basketball, and Holman joined Slats Gill's
basketball squad in Corvallis.  After his first year of college
basketball he served in the U. S. Army and fought in the Battle of the
Bulge during WWII, earning the Silver Star.  Tom then returned to
Oregon, met his wife and got married. Slats Gill wrote him a letter
saying his scholarship was good for four years and he needed to come
back to OSC.  Mr. Holman was part of the first team that played in Gill
Coliseum and the Beavers made it to the Final Four in 1949.  But Tom was
best known in Albany for an accomplished career as an educator and
coach, and for serving as Albany's mayor in the mid-1980's.

On Sunday afternoon, West Albany High School honored the 93-year-old by
renaming its gymnasium floor 'Tom Holman Court'.  "Thank you so much. 
This is amazing," Holman said.  "I've had a great career here in
Albany.  I am very appreciative of this honor.  This day is something
else," he added.  The event started, fittingly enough, with about an
hour of basketball exhibitions by youth and high school players. 
Attendees watched as children and teens dribbled basketballs, sneakers
squeaking as they cut to the hoop.

Several of Holman's family members attended the event, including his
bride of 70 years, Lois.  Attending were former players and students
from all classes, with the Class of 1960 well represented with 11.  All
totaled about 300 people attended the celebration and Mr. Holman
received a standing ovation when his signature, alongside silver stars,
was unveiled on the hardwood.  "He's a wealth of knowledge and a forever
legend of this high school and Albany," said Susie Orsborn.

Ardys Hedy-Bash, part of the AUHS class of 1961, said that her late
husband, Duane Hedy worked with Tom Holman for many years. "I think this
is just wonderful," she said.  "I don't know of anybody who would be
more deserving."  WELL DONE BULLDOGS!!!!

Sharing email from Steve Kenagy

Steve wrote:
"Here is a little news you can share with classmates.  I've been asked to participate in the 2016 Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony to be held in Chicago (11/17) and will be delivering the induction speech for Delilah.  In case you don't know about Delilah she has a radio show 6 nights a week on 150 plus U.S. radio stations and is the most listen to lady on radio.  My brother and I put her on the air reporting school news when she was only in the 8th grade.  She worked for us through high school then it was off to bigger markets and is now a major radio personality.  This award for radio personalities, is like an Academy Award is for an actor.  A little side note is that Garth Brooks will be there that evening and giving an induction speech for another one of the other honorees, I just hope I don't have to follow him on stage.  Needless to say it is a little scary thinking about tuxes, formals, limos, red carpets, speeches and Jumbotrons.  Google Delilah and be amazed.  

Go Bulldogs!"

Send your own "Congrats" to Steve at steve@kenagymail.com, 

CANDID SHOTS FROM: 

(maybe not so candid)

2016 All-Class Reunion

Special thanks to: Ellen (Lowe) Lindgren, the photographer (Glenn Lowe's sister)

Bill Gannon

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Nov. 26, 1941 — July 8, 2016

After battling cancer for several years, Gary William (Bill) Gannon, 74, passed away at his home in Albany on July 8, 2016, and went home to be with His Lord.

Bill was born November 26, 1941 in Silverton to William and Arlene Gannon. The family moved to Albany in 1945, where Bill attended Liberty Grade School and graduated from Albany Union High School in 1960 where he played football and made lasting friendships. After attending college for 8 years and finding himself a second term sophomore, he decided college wasn’t the answer, and joined the U.S. Air Force.

Until he began his heavy equipment dealership, Bill spent most of his life in the construction industries. He drove log trucks, dump trucks, and various heavy equipment. In 1980, Bill decided to create G.W. Gannon Equipment in Tangent, a used heavy equipment dealership. He loved the opportunities his company gave him to make many long lasting friendships. Bill was quick with a joke and always ready to lend a helping hand.

Bill is survived by his wife of 40 years, Cleta Kale (Massie) Gannon; son Troy Tidwell (wife Kelly) and two grandsons, Reagan and Jackson Tidwell of Bellevue, Washington. Also surviving are sisters Judy Edwards of Albany; Roberta (Bobbie) Smith of Portland; and several nieces and nephews that he cared about deeply. Preceding him in death were his parents; brother Jimmy; and daughter Lisa Kaye.

Memorial contributions may be made to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital or Safe Haven Animal Shelter in care of Fisher Funeral Home, 306 SW Washington St., Albany, OR 97321.

A service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 16 at the First Assembly of God Church, 2817 Santiam Hwy. S.E., Albany. Online condolences for the family may be posted at www.fisherfuneralhome.com.

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.

Carol Primrose Enden

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        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.

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.