Family/Spouse: Neil Cooper. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
John J. Gregory

Aug 2, 2011 Updated Dec 13, 2018 
John Jerald Gregory, 97, formerly of La Grande, died Tuesday, July 19, 2011, at the Wallowa Valley Care Center in Enterprise.

He was born in Wallowa, the son of Dr. John B. and Margaret (Boner) Gregory. He went to grade school and high school in Wallowa and graduated with the Class of 1931.

He attended the University of Oregon, where he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.

Jack owned and operated a Ford dealership in Enterprise for four years. On April 6, 1939, he married Verla C. Eddlemon. They began ranching in the Wallowa Valley and then in 1947 moved to La Grande.

In Union County, Jack raised registered Herefords and successfully rode and showed American Saddlebred horses throughout the Northwest during the 1950s.

He was a retired American Horseshow Association Judge, past president of the Union County Cattlemen Association and was named Cattleman of the Year in 1969. He served on the La Grande School Board and was a member of the La Grande Country Club where he thoroughly enjoyed the tournaments and playing the game. Jack was a past member of the Elks, a lifetime member of the Joseph Masonic Lodge No. 81 of Wallowa County and a member of the Methodist Church.

Known for his gentlemanly mannerisms and integrity as an adult, at an early age he developed empathy for the hardships people face in life through the work he did for his father, a pioneer doctor.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years; his daughters and sons-in-law, Margaret and Sam Wade of Lostine, and Jean and Neil Cooper of LaGrande; five grandchildren and their spouses, six great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Kathryn (Gregory) McFarland, and sister-in-law and her husband, Vera and Harold Burgett.

A graveside service at the family plot at the Wallowa Cemetery will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 13. Services are under the direction of Bollman Funeral Home.

Donations in his memory can be made to the Wallowa Memorial Hospital Foundation, 601 Medical Parkway, Enterprise, OR 97828 or to Friends of the Library, Cook Memorial Library, 2006 4th St., La Grande, OR 97850.

John married Verla Carolyn Eddlemon on 6 Apr 1939 in Walla Walla, Walla Walla County, Washington. Verla (daughter of Charles Ruskin Eddlemon and Martha Marian Casteel) was born on 26 Jan 1913 in Flora, Wallowa County, Oregon; died on 16 Jan 2013 in Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
OBITUARY: Verla C. Gregory

Jan 29, 2013 Updated Dec 13, 2018 
Verla C. Gregory of Enterprise and formerly of La Grande died Jan. 16, 2013, ten days before her hundredth birthday. A family service is planned for 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 26, 2013 at the Wallowa Christian Church. Bollman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Verla Carolyn (Eddlemon) Gregory was born in Flora, Oregon January 26, 1913 to Charles Ruskin and Martha Marion (Casteel) Eddlemon. Her father passed away when she was one and a half years old. She and her sister, Vera, were raised by their grandmother, Martha Jane (McQuistion) Casteel, at the Monroe Casteel homestead on Day Ridge, while her mother taught school and worked. When Verla was 7 the family moved to Wallowa for school. She was captain of her girls’ 1928 basketball team and graduated from Wallowa High School with the class of 1929.

Verla was an active member of the Wallowa Methodist Church, Epworth League and the Chi Chi Club. In 1939 she married John J. Gregory and they farmed east of Wallowa until 1947. They then moved to La Grande
where her husband was a rancher in the south end of the valley.

Verla was a past Matron of Eastern Star and a member of the La Grande Country Club. She was an excellent pianist and seamstress. She enjoyed knitting, reading, bridge, golf, bird watching, crossword puzzles, and sudoku. She was a great cook and canned pickles, peaches, green beans and tomatoes for many, many years.

Her children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren were especially important to her, and she was special to them. She is survived by her daughters and their spouses, Margaret and Sam Wade of Lostine and Jean and Neil Cooper of La Grande. Her grandchildren are Greg (and Jean) Wade of Los Angeles, Kristi Wade of Lostine, Traci (and Mitch) Frye of Enterprise, Cari (and Tim) Markham of Boise, and Derek (and Gailen) Cooper of La Grande. Her great-grandchildren are Madison and Koby Frye, Cooper and Norah Markham, and Payton, Gwen, and Adelle Cooper.

Verla is preceded in death by her sister, Vera, and her husband of 72 years, John.

John married Margaret Bone. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Charles married Martha Marian Casteel. Martha (daughter of Joseph Monroe Casteel and Martha Jane McCuistion) was born on 15 Aug 1889 in Barton City Township, Barton County, Missouri; died in Jun 1993 in Maupin, Wasco County, Oregon; was buried in Wallowa, Wallowa County, Oregon. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Joseph married Emma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Joseph married Martha Jane McCuistion on 16 Nov 1884 in Verdella, Barton County, Missouri. Martha (daughter of Capt. John Gwinn McCuistion and Martha Jane Lile) was born on 27 Aug 1866 in Ray County, Missouri; died on 27 Mar 1964 in Wasco County, Oregon; was buried in Wallowa, Wallowa County, Oregon. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]