Everett Lee Leach

Everett Lee Leach, 73, of Lostine, died Sept. 13 at his home at Lostine River Ranch. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at Lostine River Ranch. A potluck will follow. Bollman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Everett was born Oct. 28, 1935, in Millersburg, Mich. He moved to Klamath Falls with his family in 1945. He was raised there and went to school there. He married his high school sweetheart, Pat, 55 years ago.

Everett was a building contractor in Klamath Falls until 1975 when he with his brother and a friend bought Hunters Lodge in Lakeview. His family moved there to run the business, and he also ran his contracting business there. He sold Hunters Lodge in 1985. In 1989, he bought The Pizza Emporium and the Out Post RV Park in Enterprise and moved his family to run the business. He sold the RV park in 1992 but still owned the building that now houses NY Richies. He purchased Daddy Dukes in Wallowa, which is now Plush West Steak House and Saloon.

In 1996, he moved to the Lostine River Ranch where he was the manager until he died.

Everett raced flat-bottom boats all over the Northwest and also raced stock cars in the 1960s. He and his family waterskied and pleasure-boated on Klamath Lake, and he managed a snow ski area between Klamath Falls and Medford for 15 years while his children were growing up.

He had belonged to the Elks Lodge for 42 years, joining in Klamath Falls and then going to Lakeview Lodge and then to Enterprise Lodge in 1988. He was Exalted Ruler in 1999-2000 and a trustee for many years.

In 1992, he was Chief White Tail of the Order of the Antelope associated with Hart Mountain Wildlife Refuge out of Lakeview and remained an avid member and supporter of the organization.

He had been a house builder and remodeler since 1955, building many homes in the Klamath Falls and Lakeview areas.

He loved to fish and hunt deer and elk and loved all animals. Since moving to Wallowa County, he owned an RV park, a restaurant, pizza parlor and a video store. He operated an excavating business until his death.

He is survived by his wife, Pat; daughter, Geniene Taylor; two sons, Rick Leach and Mitch Leach; two granddaughters and three grandsons; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; and a sister.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wallowa County Fairgrounds in care of Bollman Funeral Home.

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