Clayton Arthur Sipp

Clayton Arthur Sipp, 73, of Baker City, died Feb. 12 at home after a short battle with cancer. A celebration of life will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at the Baker City Presbyterian Church, 1995 Fourth St. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall.

Clayton was born Feb. 3, 1938, to Max and Enid (Ware) Sipp in Baker City. He attended Oregon Technical Institute (now known as Oregon Institute of Technology).

On Sept. 17, 1960, he and Karen Eileen Miles were married. He served in the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1964 as a Morse code instructor at Fort Gordon, Ga.

After his discharge Clayton and Karen moved to the Burnt River area where he had grown up. He returned to ranching and during those years was blessed with two sons, Craig and Brian.

The family moved to Baker Valley, where Clayton continued ranching. In 1972 they put a home on their property at Poker Gulch.

He then went on to driving log trucks for Wise Brothers, Gary Smith, Elvin Carter and many other operations before purchasing his own log truck in 1982. Clayton was an outdoors person who loved being his own boss, which working in the woods provided.

He was a caring father and his sons loved riding with him in his truck and helping him with whatever he was doing. He retired from logging in 1999. In his retirement Clayton enjoyed helping Ralph and Myrna Morgan with their haying during the summers.

After Karen passed away in 1981, Clayton married Suzzette Ellis; they were later divorced.

He then met and married Bonnie Kemry. Clayton and Bonnie remained the best of friends after their divorce.

He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, working in his shop, hunting with his family and teaching his grandchildren valuable life lessons on the home place.

Clayton is survived by his sons and their families: Craig and Sherri and three grandchildren, of Union, and Brian and Nanette Pierce, of Baker City. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Karen; parents; and sister and brother-in-law, Myrna and and Bud German.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in care of Gray's West & Company Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, 97814.

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