Dennis Shea

Dennis Shea, 75, longtime resident of the Grande Ronde Valley, died Jan. 26 after a short battle with cancer. Per the request of Dennis, there will be no services.

Dennis is a Marine and a Korean War veteran. Over the years, he was a buckaroo, logger, rancher and outfitter for private elk hunts in northern Idaho.

He felt privileged to have enjoyed the incredible elk hunting of northern Idaho where he lived in his earlier years.

Those who knew Dennis say he was an early pioneer of riparian fencing using high tensel New Zealand smooth wire; the first to introduce Brahma cattle, thusly, introducing the F-1 heifer into the Northeast Oregon beef industry; as well as the first to introduce hydroponic agriculture to the Grande Ronde Valley.

Over the years he enjoyed the thrill of piloting his Piper Cherokee 180. He also enjoyed reloading, was an avid reader and gardener, and enjoyed pack trips with his wife of 41 years, Bonnie.

Those who knew Dennis say he had an incredible faith in God. He enjoyed spending time with his children, Denise and Joe Mathews, Kirk Shea and Colleen and Darryl Ige; and grandchildren, Justin Victor, Jordan and Lacey Ige, and Rylie Shea.

His family said, "In all his life, he faced challenges head on. There was only one thing that he couldn't do, and that was to vote Democrat."

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to ADRA, Adventist Development and Relief Agency, in care of Loveland Funeral Chapel.

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