John Whitney Marrs

John Whitney Marrs, 79, formerly of La Grande, died in Portland April 16. Private burial, was at Willamette National Cemetery where he received military honors. A memorial service was conducted at Evangel Baptist Church April 20.

He was born March 20, 1927, in Port Angeles, Wash., and spent his early years in Aloha and Portland. Later, he moved with his family to La Grande. During his high school years in La Grande, he lettered in football, baseball, track and basketball. He told of a summer job where he drove a produce truck to and from a POW camp in Eastern Washington.

He graduated early his senior year to enlist in the Navy. He served as a radioman third class during World War II. After the war, he enrolled at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, Calif. In 1948, he transferred to the University of Oregon.

At the university he met and courted Jean Hudspeth. The couple married and moved to Myrtle Point, where he taught junior high students and coached the football team. A natural salesman, he worked 10 years as a district manager for World Book Encyclopedia in Portland. He then sold 3M products to schools and churches in Salem and Portland for 28 years. He was a member of of the Evangel Baptist Church, supporting mission programs.

He is survived by his wife, Jean, and children Ron, Tana, Tracie, Lance, Karen and Paul. Fourteen grandchildren, one great-grandchild and many nieces and nephews also survive.