Chester "Norm" Norman Proffitt

Chester Norman "Norm" Proffitt, age 79 of Bonnerdale, Arkansas, a former resident of LaGrande, Oregon, died Sunday, May 8th, 2011 at his home in Bonnerdale following a long illness.


Mr. Proffitt was born on May 28, 1931 at Baker, Oregon, the son of Chester Royce and Sarah 'Cleone' Bennett Proffitt. He moved with his family to La Grande in 1941. He attended schools in LaGrande and graduated from LaGrande High School in 1950. He was active in athletics and was the Oregon State High Jump Champion and held the record at La Grande High School for 25 years befoe it was broken by a McCarthy boy. After High School he attended Pacific University at Forest Grove, Eastern Oregon College and BYU where he high jumped for all the colleges.

He served with the U.S. Army duing the Korean Conflict. He then worked for the Bureau of Land Management for four years as head of a District Section in Alaska before it became a state. He also worked for the Oregon State Forestry in La Grande, Wallowa and at Wallowa
Lake. He later managed the La Grande Outdoor Supply for a number of years before going to work in the retail business, managing several different store in several different states before retiring.

He was an avid hunter and also enjoyed fishing and gardening. Funeral services will be held on Friday May 20, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. at Davis Smith Funeral Home in Hot Springs, Arkansas with interment to follow at the Brohach Cemetery in Fordyce, Arkansas.

Survivors include his long time companion/care giver, Nonda Suit of Bonnerdale, one son and daughter-in-law, Bob & Katherine Harris of Fordyce, AR, brothers and sisters-in-law, Don & Betty Proffitt of La Grande, OR,; Dale & Rosie Proffitt of Colton, OR; sister, Bev Hartell of Klamath Falls, OR; sister and brother-in-law, Colleen and Richard Matthews of LaGrande, OR; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois Proffitt who died in 1996 and by his parents.

Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Mr. Proffitt to the Parkinson's Disease Association for Research in care of Daniels~Knopp 1502 7th Street in La Grande. Those who would like to leave a message for the family may do so by signing the guest book for Norman at danielsknopp.com.

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