Alan Lee Endicott

Alan Lee "Gramps" Endicott, 70, of Pendleton and formerly of La Grande, died Sept. 3 at Kadlec Medical Center of cancer. A celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Catholic church in Baker City. A dessert or salad potluck will follow.

Alan was born Sept. 6, 1939, to Charles and Alfreda Endicott in Caldwell, Idaho. In 1957 he graduated from Huntington High School, where he was a four-year letterman in three sports. He met the love of his life, Nancy, at a dance in Durkee, and they married Nov. 23, 1957.

He served three years in the Navy before the family settled in Baker. Alan worked as an engineer assistant for the Forest Service and retired from the Union Pacific Railroad in Pendleton after 25 years as an engineer.

After taking time off to pursue his dream of gold mining, he started a new career in car sales at Carner Auto & Pendleton Ford.

His love for gardening led him to Pendleton Academies, and later Pendleton Police Department as gardener. Alan was active in the lives of his kids and grandkids. He coached in Baker, and later coached Pendelton High School junior varsity girls softball. Those who knew him say he took great pride in teaching not only the fundamentals, but how to be a better person.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and relished the companionship of friends. He was a member of the Eagles Lodge, and he was initiated into the Pendleton Masonic Lodge No. 52. In recent years Al and Nancy were foster parents to 31 kids with special needs.

Alan is survived by his wife, Nancy of Pendleton; brother, Erin of Cove; sons, Alan of Pendleton, Tim and his partner, Tina, of Baker City and Doug and his wife, Sandy of Hermiston; and five grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Baker Little League at the service in memory of coach "Big Al."

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