John Raymond Atwood

John Raymond Atwood, 82, died Sunday, December 28 at his home in La Grande following a long illness.


A service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 3, 2009 at Daniels~Knopp, Funeral Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 Seventh Street, La Grande. Viewing hours will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at Daniels~Knopp.


John R. Atwood was born the 25th day of March in 1926, the son of Henry R. and Thelma Marie (Giem) Atwood in Ford, Washington. He lived in various Washington towns during his growing up years, including Chatteroy and Deer Park. Upon completion of his junior year of high school, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and WWII, where he was wounded and received a Purple Heart Medal.


On September 26, 1945, John was married to Joan Rossiter in Deer Park, Washington. While living in Colville, Washington, John worked at the Draper Sawmill. In 1957, the family moved to Yakima where he began his work in construction. In 1964, the family moved from Arlington, Oregon to La Grande, where John became a partner in Bailey Farm Equipment, the International dealership in Island City, which later became Agline. After a brief attempt at retirement, he went to work for Rob and Tish Beck, which he enjoyed as long as he was able.


The Atwoods attended Calvary Chapel in La Grande. John was a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans and the La Grande Eagles Aerie. He enjoyed building, repairing and refinishing clocks, building model airplanes and gardening. He was also an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting, fishing and camping.


John is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joan Atwood, daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Bob Chappelle, son and daughter-in-law, John D. and Gail Atwood, all of La Grande; three grandchildren, Dean Atwood, Rob Harrison, and Terri Perry; four great-grandchildren, Anton Shaw, Kimberly Atwood, Cassidy Perry, and Annalina Perry; and brothers and sisters, Jesse Atwood of Lincoln City, California, Ruth Regnier of La Grande, Maxine Wise of Spokane, Laura McMinn of Edmonton, Canada, Henry Atwood of Rainier, and Sally Barrow of La Grande; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Judy Olsen.


Friends who wish may make contributions in memory of John R. Atwood to the GRH Hospice.

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