Claude Eugene Hand Ii

Claude Eugene Hand II, died Tuesday, February 15th in La Grande at the age of 86.

A service will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 22 at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, corner of 4th St. and "O" Ave. in La Grande. Private interment will be held earlier at the Grandview Cemetery.

Mr. Hand was born on May 11, 1918 in Milton-Freewater to Claude Eugene and Minnie (Modrell) Hand. He was raised and educated in Walla Walla graduating from Walla Walla High School with the class of 1936. On June 24, 1939 he was married to Erildean Hastings in Walla Walla.


Mr. Hand began working for Sears & Roebuck Company in Walla Walla where he became an assistant manager and was later transferred to Aberdeen, Washington. After a year he returned to the Walla Walla Sears store before going to work at the Farm Store. He later began working for Teague Motor Company where he was eventually promoted to manager. In 1955 he moved to La Grande to purchase Walker Motors which became Hand Ford Sales. He operated the dealership until his retirement in 1981.


While in Walla Walla Mr. Hand was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, the Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Walla Walla Country Club. He was a talented vocalist and sang for many weddings and funerals. He was a very active member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in La Grande where he served as Sr. Warden and Vestry member and was a licensed lay reader for many years. He had also belonged to the La Grande Elks Lodge, Rotary Club, Country Club, Chamber of Commerce and the Grande Ronde Hospital Board. He enjoyed playing golf, bridge, the beauty of nature and sky watching. He loved to fly his plane. He traveled many miles to watch every baseball game his grandchildren played from tee-ball through college at Eastern.


Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Erildean of La Grande; son and daughter-in-law, Claude Eugene III "Gene" and Patsy of Eugene; daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl and John Howton of La Grande; six grandchildren, Andrea Hand of Portland, Stephanie Hand & Scott Goldstein of Eugene, Erica Hand & Shem Malone of Portland, Mike & Karen Howton of La Grande, Brian & Joan Howton of Walla Walla and Amy Howton of Boise; 4 great grandchildren and other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Mildred Kincheloe and Ethelyn Pontius.


Friends who wish may make contributions to the charity of their choice in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, OR 97850.