David Lawrence Opperman

David Lawrence Opperman, 46, of La Grande, died Jan. 15. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Friday in the Union High School gym.

David was born Feb. 17, 1964, in Gresham. He attended elementary school in Fruitland, Idaho. David attended junior high and high school in Prairie City and graduated from Grant Union High School in John Day in 1982.

He attended Western Oregon State College (now WOU), where he completed both a bachelor's and master's degree in education. After college, he lived in the Portland area for many years.

In 2007, David followed his heart back to Eastern Oregon, seeking a higher quality of life for his family. He found it in Union where he taught music and math and coached football, basketball and baseball.

After his first teaching position in Paisley, David was a substitute teacher in the greater Portland area. He worked for Oregon State Forestry in the summers. He worked for the Cascade Education Corp. before joining Forest Grove High School where he taught and coached football for several years. It was during that time that he married his closest friend and sweetheart. David and Melissa Ann Grahek were married Dec. 9, 2000. Five years later, they were blessed with the opportunity to welcome their two wonderful boys, Bradley and Bryce, into their lives.

While at Forest Grove High School, David received recognition for his work with PLATO, a learning system that helped students improve scores and comprehension dramatically.

David enjoyed nearly all competitive sports, participating in football, basketball and baseball through high school. His passion for the game and his quest to develop excellence and good sportsmanship in students soon led him onto the coaching scene. He coached in various capacities at Forest Grove and co-coached the Gaston High School team with long-time friend Mike Maraia. David coached both of his sons in various sports at Union, leading the Union Optimist football team to three consecutive undefeated seasons.

He enjoyed fishing, camping, hiking, traveling, songwriting and playing music on a variety of instruments. He played bass guitar in bands over the years, making many friends along the way. David was an avid student of Oregon history and American Indian history.

David is survived by his wife, Melissa; sons, Bradley and Bryce; his father and stepmother, Dave and Linda Opperman of Baker City; his mother and stepfather, Sharon and Keith Kennedy of Elgin; his brother and sister-in-law, Mark and Robin Opperman of Elgin; his sister and brother-in-law, Nina and Ron Press of West Linn; his sister and brother-in-law, Joy and Ron McCall of Salem; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his youngest brother, Paul Opperman.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the David Opperman Union Music and Athletic Fund at any Eastern Oregon Community Bank branch or sent to Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande 97850. This fund will be used to further David's passion in helping provide for music and athletic needs at Union schools.

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