Gail Bergman

Gail Bergman, 71, died July 5 in Baker City. A private family memorial service will be held later this fall.

Gail Robert was born March 23, 1940, to Gustaf and Dollie (Lisle) Bergman in Turlock, Calif. He was raised and educated in Turlock and graduated from Turlock High School in 1958.

Gail and Fay met on a blind date arranged by their best friends in March 1959. They were married later that year in July. After honeymooning in Santa Cruz, Calif., they settled into their first home in Hilmar, Calif.

While in Hilmar, Gail worked as a dairyman and for AI Tech and the Department of Fish and Game at a wildlife preserve. He also drove trucks.

Gail became a father in October 1960 when Fay delivered their first child, Lori. Their family continued to grow when Lisa was born in July 1961. Then their only son, Jim, was born in October 1963, followed by Sheila in April 1968 and their youngest, Sonja, in 1969.

The family moved to Halfway in September 1972. Gail signed up as a Halfway volunteer firefighter almost immediately, a career that he loved until he retired as chief in 2009.

When not fighting fires, he worked as a carpenter, a dairyman, a custodian, farmer and rancher.

Gail enjoyed helping others and was frequently called upon by friends and neighbors to lend a hand in times of need.

Over the years, Gail and Fay opened their home to many children who needed a safe, loving place to stay.

Gail enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family and friends. He also loved wood-working and built many beautiful custom furniture pieces for those he loved.

He was preceded in death by his father, Gus; brother, Art; and granddaughter, Kayla.

Gail is survived by his wife, Fay; children, Lori and Gene Landers of Skagway, Alaska, Lisa and Dan Breshears of Elgin, Sheila and Mike Phelps of Elgin, Jim Bergman of Springfield and Sonja Bergman of Halfway and Skagway; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; his mother, Dollie; brothers, Bert and Ken; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pathway Hospice or the Pine Valley Rural Fire Department in care of Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway 97834.

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