Dr. Joseph Paul Frederick

Dr. Joseph Paul Frederick, 87 passed away on Friday Nov. 5 peacefully at home.

Viewing will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 10, 2004 with the Recitation of the Holy Rosary beginning at 7:00 at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday, November 11, 2004 at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church with Father Hank Albrecht officiating. Private burial will be held at the Hillcrest East Cemetery.

Joe was born, one of seven children, July 23, 1917 on the Cowlitz Prairie near Toledo, Wash. to William Joseph and Agnes Wagner Frederick. Soon thereafter the family moved to Puyallup, Wash., where he was raised and attended school, graduating from high school in 1936. He attended college at WSC in Pullman Wash. where he met his future wife Lucille Christine Mitchell, who was his next door neighbor. He used to talk about how it took two full days for his friend and him to travel from Puyallup to Pullman in their model T. He graduated in 1940 as a pharmacist and worked at drug stores in Spokane, Walla Walla, and Longview. He married Lucille in Pullman on Feb. 8, 1941.

He was drafted in 1942 and received a medical discharge due to his asthmatic condition. He briefly attended Stanford University before a friend persuaded him to pursue a career in medicine. He enrolled in 1943 at OHSU in Portland. He specialized in Internal Medicine and graduated in 1948. He continued his residency and internship until 1952 when Dr. Stoddard offered him a partnership in the La Grande Clinic. He practiced medicine until his retirement in 1981. He had a large practice, specializing in senior citizen's health needs. People spoke highly of his gentle caring bedside manner.

His hobbies included fishing, hunting, rock hounding, and spending time at his tree farm. He was an avid golfer, winning several trophies in local events, and made three "hole in ones" during his lifetime. After a round of golf, he enjoyed playing cribbage and gin rummy with his friends. He also loved college basketball and looked forward to the annual pilgrimage to the NCAA during March Madness. He was most happy in the outdoors feeding the birds and squirrels, or watching the deer and elk. He knew the names of all the wildflowers.

Dr. Joe truly loved Eastern Oregon and was extremely knowledgeable of the area's history, especially that of the local Indian tribes. He was active in the Kiwanis, the Elks, and the La Grande Country Club. He also served a term as hospital chief of staff.

Survivors include his wife, Lucille, his five children Kris Ann McDonald and Koreen Hansell of La Grande, Joseph Patrick and Lucy Marie of San Diego, Cal., and Steven of Olympia, Wash.; a brother Victor of Spokane, Wash., and nine grandchildren.

Contributions can be made to the charity of your choice in his memory in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.