John Paul Edvalson

John Paul Edvalson, 89, formerly of Union, died April 25 at his home in Baker City.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Baker City Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with burial to follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery.

He was born Aug. 1, 1917, to Carl Patrick and Cecilia (Isaacson) Edvalson in Union. The twelfth of 14 children, he was raised on the family farm on Catherine Creek and graduated from Union High School in 1935. He was a participant in Union High School's judging team at the Pacific International Livestock show in Portland.

After graduation, he worked on the family farm then moved to Baker and worked at the Oregon Lumber Company on the green chain.

Mr. Edvalson joined the Army in January 1942 and became a member of the 2nd Chemical Mortar Battalion. His unit participated in the Allied invasion of Italy. They were also in France and Germany, where they helped liberate Dachau.

After being discharged, Mr. Edvalson returned to Baker to resume employment at the Oregon Lumber Company.

He married Angela Amelia Smurthwaite July 26, 1946, in Boise, Idaho. They were later sealed in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple.

Mr. Edvalson was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and worked for many years in the Boy Scouts of America as a Scout Master and later an Explorer leader. He received the Scouter's Key Award as an adult leader in 1960.

After the Oregon Lumber Company closed he worked for Edward Hines Lumber Company in Bates from 1961 to 1975 and in John Day from 1975 until he retired in 1979.

He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing and hiking. He especially enjoyed backpacking trips in the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area. He was also a rock hound, collecting many specimens of petrified wood and other gems and minerals. He enjoyed gardening and was well known in his neighborhood for his flowers and vegetables.

Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Timothy J. and Dana J. (Trusty) Edvalson of West Linn; two granddaughters; sister, Ada Dungan of Sacramento, Calif., and several brothers and sisters-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the Perpetual Education Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or to Habitat for Humanity.