John Carl Williamson

John Carl Williamson, age 65, of La Grande, died Friday, August 2, 2002 at the Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 11:00 a.m. at the La Grande Elks Lodge with Sally Wiens officiating. Private interment will be held at the Grandview Cemetery.

Mr. Williamson was born on June 6, 1937, the son of Robert Eldon and Lorine (Johnson) Williamson in La Grande. He graduated from La Grande High School with the Class of 1955. He attended two terms at Eastern Oregon University before enlisting in the United States Army, serving in Germany. He returned to La Grande and worked as a mail carrier before joining his father at the Williamson Insurance Agency. He purchased the business when his father retired on June 6, 1966. He was a member of the Independent Insurance Agents of Oregon and the Professional Insurance Agents. On May 9, 1970 he married Sara Jane Hamm in Pendleton, Oregon. They made their home in La Grande and had three children. The marriage later ended in divorce.

Mr. Williamson was very active in the La Grande Elks Lodge and was Past Exalted Ruler 1972-1973. Over the years he has volunteered hundreds of hours to the many activities of the lodge. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Al Kader Shrine, the Eagles Lodge, the NRA and the Oregon Renter's Association. He was a volunteer for the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show for over 30 years. He was also involved with the Blue Mountain Boys, the Oregon Hunter's Association, the National Corvette Owners Association and the American Bowling Congress and bowled for many years. He was also a life member of the La Grande Gun Club. He was devoted to his community and was very patriotic.

Mr. Williamson was a devoted family man and enjoyed spending time with his family on Mt. Emily and at their family cabin at Wallowa Lake. He enjoyed hunting, water skiing and snow skiing.
Most recently, he enjoyed spending time with his granddaughter, Chelsea. He loved his dogs and enjoyed animals of all kinds. He was also known as a handyman and always had some type of project he was working on.

Survivors include his children, Robert Williamson & Becky Driskell, Steven Williamson & Tara Horn and Julie J. Williamson, all of La Grande; granddaughter, Chelsea of La Grande; brother, Neil Williamson, MD of Grants Pass, Oregon; cousins, Tom and Mildred Williamson of Fossil, Oregon, Wayne Williamson of Portland, Oregon, Kathleen Wilson of Medford, Oregon, among other cousins; and other relatives and many friends. His parents preceded him in death.

Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Mr. Williamson to the Casey Eye Institute in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.