Howard V. Pidcock

Howard Pidcock, 96, of La Grande, died Feb. 15. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Loveland Funeral Chapel.

Howard was born April 25, 1914, to David Boyd and Ada Leola (Dixon) Pidcock in La Grande. He attended school in La Grande and graduated from La Grande High School. In 1936, Howard married Genevieve Victoria Flexer, also of La Grande.

The couple moved to Spokane to attend Kinman Business School. Their daughter, Judy, was born in Spokane in 1940. During World War II, Howard worked as a welder in the shipyards building Liberty ships in Vanport.

In 1944 the family returned to La Grande, where Howard worked in and owned a service station. Their son, David, was born in 1945. Howard later worked as a technician for American Optical Co. in their La Grande facility until its closing. He then worked as the business manager for the La Grande School District until his retirement.

Toward the end of his working years, Howard and Gen bought an acreage where he was able to have a horse: a dream realized. He spent many happy hours caring for his horse and riding the trails with Bill Brown and Loren Hughes.

Howard and Gen moved to Waldport in the mid-1980s and then returned to La Grande in 2006.

Howard served in many capacities as a member of the First Baptist Church, in the La Grande Lions Club and on the Salvation Army board. He loved listening to classical music and tending to his roses and vegetables.

His quick wit and sense of humor was enjoyed by all, family members said.

Howard was preceded in death by his wife in 2007 and by his younger brother, Jean Pidcock.

Survivors include his children and their spouses, Judy and Wally Parmenter of Waldport and David and Marjie Pidcock of La Grande; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

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