Jerome Hoskins

Jerome "Jerry" Hoskins, age 78, of La Grande, a loving husband, father, brother-in-law, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather, sportsman, scoutmaster and friend. He was born August 21, 1928 to Omar K. and Essie C. Hoskins at Havre, Montana, went home to be with his Father in Heaven surrounded by family on January 10th, 2007.

Services will be held Monday, January 15, 2007 at St. Peters Episcopal Church in La Grande at 1:00 p.m. Viewing will be held on Sunday from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. and again on Monday from 9:00 until 11:00 a.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Jerry, attended grade school at Havre, Montana, Mobridge, South Dakota, Baker, Oregon, and Lewiston, Idaho. He attended Junior High in Clarkston, Washington and Senior High at Yakima, Washington. While in High School Jerry earned the Eagle Scout award and was voted outstanding athlete in his senior year, 1946. Jerry, also known to his friends as "Butch", attended Washington State College for two years and was affiliated with the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Jerry married the love of his life, Elizabeth June (Bette) Holmes on Dec, 31st, 1949, at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Yakima WA. Butch and Bette were blessed with four children.

Jerry worked for the Camas Prairie Railroad in Lewiston, Idaho until 1953. He then entered into a family partnership ranch at Paradise, Oregon until 1959. Jerry was employed by General Telephone Company at Kennewick, Washington where he worked as a lineman, crew foreman, and installation and repair technician. In 1962 he transferred to Libby, Montana to work on relocation and rebuilding of facilities in preparation for the construction of the Libby Dam. Jerry was promoted to Field Engineer with GTE and moved to Moscow, Idaho in 1964. Jerry later transferred with GTE in 1973 to La Grande, as a Senior Outside Plant Engineer where he retired in 1987.

Jerry was confirmed into the Episcopal faith in 1949 and was a faithful steward. He was an active member in the Curculio movement and was a member of the site committee at Ascension School. Jerry was also a founding member of the Ascension Barn Crew. The joys of the summer camp season at Ascension were Jerry's campfire stories. He touched many young lives with the sharing of his faith journey. Bette and Jerry were awarded the Ascension Cross in 2003 for their years of dedication and service. Jerry served his home parish of St. Peters Episcopal Church as a lay Eucharist minister and greeter. He was a devoted steward in the bread ministry and helping hand for the Neighbor to Neighbor food bank.

Jerry was a respected Scoutmaster for the Boy Scout's of America; he was a scoutmaster for 9 years and a troop leader to World Jamborees in Farragut State Park, Idaho and Tokyo, Japan.

Jerry was a member of the Elk's Club and active in the Optimist International Club for 15 years.

Jerry loved traveling with Bette after retirement, fishing with his sons and staying active in the community.

Jerry is survived by his wife Bette of 57 years, son Steve and wife Dana, daughter Marla, son Scott and wife Mary, son Jim and companion Judith, brother-in-law Howard Holmes, grandchildren Steve Jr., Carly, Brooke, Sarah, Kelsey, Trent and Britt along with four great grand children, Kyler, Kaiden, Kellen and Kai, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Omar Hoskins, Jr. and his parents.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Ascension School in Cove, GRH Hospice or St. Peters Episcopal Church and Cancer Society in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.