08/27/07 An OBH member and friend to many has passed on....

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Today our hearts are heavy as we announce the passing of Rick Martin. Rick died on Wednesday, August 22, 2007 of coronary complications while preparing for an opening day hunting trip. To those who were fortunate to have known him both, as just an acquaintance or as a close friend, he will be greatly missed. His laid back demeanor and always friendly smile was a greeting one always looked forward to and cherished. Rick was a brother to all of us and for that we are most grateful.

Rick was a husband, a father, a grandfather and one who embraced life and all it had to offer with a great passion. Within that passion he held archery and hunting in the utmost of esteem. He loved it to the extent that for the last six years, his was one of the friendly faces you were often greeted with when visiting the Bow Rack in Springfield.

As a husband, a father and a grandfather the pride he had for his family goes well beyond words.  He is survived by his wife, Deanna “Dee Dee”, his mother, four children, three sisters a brother and four grandchildren.

Rick was born August 11, 1953, in Hollywood, Calif., to Fred and Barbara Deiman Martin. He married Dee Dee on January 1, 2004 in Reno.

Rick was a member of the Oregon Bow Hunters, Cascadian Bowmen, and the Benton Bowmen.

We’ll miss you Rick.

God Bless you and your family.

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This memorial written by Buck Kelty

6/5/07 Sad News........

Many of you are aware John served on our Board and was most recently our past Director of Tournaments.

(From Rouge Flyfishers website)

Today we have some sad news. Johnny Hale died in his sleep of an apparent heat attack on Saturday, June 2nd on a fishing trip to Fish Lake. We have lost a great man and a good friend.

The family has asked that instead of flowers a donation can be made to the Western Rivers Conservancy, www.westernrivers.org, in his name. There will not be a funeral or service, but there will be a public viewing on Wednesday at Conger Morris between 2 and 6 pm.

There will be an OPEN HOUSE at the Hale home, 1882 Niedermeyer Dr., on Wednesday from 3-6. There will have a private family ceremony at Conger-Morris just prior to the Open House.

Below you will find the obituary.

Johnny Orley Hale
October 26, 1942-June 2, 2007

John was born in Cairo, Illinois to parents Johnny N. Hale and Zelma Milton Hale. His family moved many times and finally settled in Fairfield, Illinois. He attended Fairfield High School followed by Community College and Southern Illinois University where he received a BS in Education. He taught for one year in Illinois and then moved to Colorado to continue his teaching career. In 1970, John moved to Mapleton, Oregon. Over the next 25 years, John held teaching positions in the Elementary, Middle and High schools. He also coached girls & boys basketball, baseball and softball, served as an advisor to the student newspaper and co-directed the outdoor education program.
In 1975, Johnny married Judy Sessions, a librarian also teaching in Mapleton School District. During the next few years, husband and wife renovated a 100-year old school house on the Siuslaw river on 40 acres of land. In 1976, Johnny received his MA in Education from the University of Oregon.
John was an avid outdoorsman who thoroughly enjoyed hunting and especially fishing. He would take every opportunity throughout his life to fish the local rivers, lakes or ocean from the Mississippi River to the Siuslaw and finally the Rogue and everywhere in between. He spent much of his time working on the commercial fishing boat named the “Lassie” captained by Miss Jenny Bailey.
Upon his retirement, John resumed shooting archery in competition. He has maintained his position as the Oregon Bowhunter’s State Champion in the Senior Male Barebow division since 2001. John enjoyed tying flies and taught many community classes in beginning fly-tying as a member of the Rogue Flyfishers, Southern Oregon Flyfishers and Southern Oregon Fly Tiers (SOFT). He also has participated in the Northwest Fly Tying Expo as an invited guest tyer over the last eight years.
Johnny was a strong kind man. He loved taking care of his family and no father could love his children more than he did.
Johnny is survived by his wife Judy Hale, daughter Aina Hale, son Patrick Hale & daughter-in-law Natalie Becker-Hale, grand-daughter Kennedy Ashland Hale, mother Zelma Hale, brothers James Alfred Hale & Charles Richard Hale and sister Zelma Francis Yates. He will be greatly missed by all of us. Johnny passed away peacefully on a fishing trip after an evening of fly-tying and story telling among friends at Fish Lake.

A celebration of life Open House will be held at the family’s residence, 1882 Niedermeyer Dr., Central Point on Wednesday, 3-6 following a private family ceremony. Please call 541-773-4625 for information. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made the Western Rivers Conservancy at www.westernrivers.org.