Harold Theodore Morman

Harold Theodore Morman was born April 16, 1921, during a blustery spring snowstorm in the small Eastern Colorado community of Deer Trail. Ted Morman, a tall, German, Lutheran and his little tow-headed daughter, Viola, were the only people present when Ted's wife, young Irish-Catholic Delia, gave birth, and Harold entered the world. He was their first son. Over the next dozen years, Edwin, Arthur, Betty, Allen, Leona, and Danny joined Viola and Harold.

Harold enjoyed telling stories of he and his sisters and brothers riding a huge pet horse to the little country school they attended.

Harold's formal education ended early. After his eighth grade graduation, he joined the workforce.

As a young man, Harold worked on several ranches on the prairies of Eastern Colorado, including the fabled Hash Knife Ranch, herding and shearing sheep, tending cattle, and harvesting hay. Stories later told of the Hash Knife to his young sons stirred images of the Wild West and the romance of the cowboy era. Harold was a good storyteller.

In July of 1942, at the age of 21, Harold made the trip to Denver, Colorado and joined the United States Army. He never spoke much of his war years until recently, when he told a little about the training and the physically punishing preparatory marches they endured.

He served in the 95th Division under the legendary General George S. Patton. Before leaving for overseas, his battalion was stationed in California, where Warren Brothers and Universal Studios filmed the soldiers for military training.

After being shipped overseas, the battles became real. During a skirmish in northeast France, near the Moselle River, an enemy bullet tore into Harold's right arm passing out the other side. He was transported back to the United States on the ocean-liner turned hospital ship, the Queen Mary. He was discharged from the Army in November 1944, earning "The Purple Heart, "The Good Conduct Metal," and two bronze service stars.

Another Mary entered Harold's life, when back in Colorado, he met a school teacher, little Mary Hope Hamlin, whom all affectionately called Hope. Harold and Hope married on November 19, 1945. While living in Colorado, they had a daughter, Susan Eileen, who lived only a few days, and a son, Gayle Wayne.

In 1955, the young family moved to La Grande, Oregon. Harold was employed by the Union Pacific Railroad and later by Boise Cascade Sawmill. Their last child, David Allen, was born in La Grande.

Harold and Hope always had a large garden and some livestock: a few cows and sheep while the boys were growing up. They were charter members of the La Grande Evangelical Methodist Church, now the Grande Ronde Community Church. Harold served in many ways in the local church, including stints as Sunday School teacher, church treasurer, and board member. He always lent a hand in church remodeling projects and in helping the elderly in the upkeep of their homes.

He and Hope downsized after Gayle and David left home, and they moved to a home on "E" Street in Island City, where they continued to garden and grow flowers. Harold transitioned into his artistic phase of life and made horseshoe art and the wooden doodads that retired men like to make.

Harold and Hope moved to Salem, Oregon in 2001 to enjoy the milder climate of Western Oregon and the companionship of their son, David, and David's family. In his last years, Harold's goal was to help care for Hope as Parkinson Disease began to limit her physically. Though often frustrated by his own growing limitations, he diligently, and protectively, cared for her and their home. His children and grandchildren all believe that now, in his home in heaven, he is free from limitations.

Special memories of Harold include his quick sense of humor and ability to make an entertaining quip; his constant supply of new jokes; his love of ice cream, toast and hot milk, a dog named Pug, and The Sons of the Pioneers; and his generosity.

He slipped out of this world quietly, in the early morning of Monday, October 22, 2007 and was instantly missed by his wife of 62 years, Hope.

Harold has two daughters-in law, Marcia (Hager) Morman and Cindy (Struck) Morman; five grandchildren, Allison (Morman) Tuinstra, Katie Nichol Morman, Andrew David Morman, Michelle Hope Morman, and Ashley Joy Morman; one grandson-in-law, Michael Paul Tuinstra; one granddaughter-in-law, Genna (Martin) Morman; and three great grandchildren, Benjamin Michael Tuinstra, Nathan Paul Tuinstra, and Grace River Morman.

His wife, Hope, and all of his brothers and sisters survive him.

Services will be held at Trinity Covenant Church, 5020 South Liberty Street, Salem, Oregon at 11 a.m., Saturday, October 27, 2007. Graveside service will be at the Island City Cemetery, Island City, Oregon at 10 a.m., Tuesday, October 30, 2007.

Memorials or gifts can be made to the Gideon's International Bible Society or the Willamette Valley Chapter of Hospice.