J.C. Hawthorne

J.C. Hawthorne, 81, of Portland and formerly of La Grande, died May 3.

A memorial service was conducted May 7 in Portland. Burial was at Portland's Willamette National Cemetery.

Mr. Hawthorne was born April 23, 1925, to Joe and Carutha (Steel) Hawthorne in Newton, Texas.

He served in the Army during World War II. After receiving an honorable discharge, he moved to Oregon in 1946 to work in the logging industry.

In 1948 he married Marian Leake. The couple had three daughters and later divorced. He married Helen Rymes in 1957, and they had six sons.

Following the dissolution of his second marriage, he returned to Texas, where he lived in Buna for 30 years.

In 2006, at the urging of his daughters, he moved to Portland, where he lived until his death.

Mr. Hawthorne enjoyed fishing, hunting, debating politics and cooking. A talented gardener, he was known for growing the best watermelon in Jasper County, Texas. He loved sports and was a regular at Little League games. He was also involved in community service and received numerous awards for his community work.

Survivors include his children and their spouses, Vinie Bethune of Santa Ana, Calif., Dianne Smith of Portland, Delores Cuie of Portland, Johnny and Paula Hawthorne of Oakland, Calif., Lenroe Hawthorne of Portland, Edward Hawthorne of Seattle, Clarence and Faunstina Hawthorn of Chattanooga, Tenn., Rodney and Claudia Hawthorne of Vancouver, Wash., and James Hawthorne of Vancouver, Wash.; 20 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; siblings and their spouses, Ruby McCain, JoAnna Walker, Beady Carol, Lenroe and Beverly Hawthorne, Edward and Clara Hawthorne and Jerry and Georgia Hawthorne; and best friend, Rose Johnson of Silsby, Texas. He was preceded in death by a brother, Lewis Hawthorne.