Johnny Fred Rorden

Johnny Fred Rorden, 59 of Enterprise and formerly of Union, died Nov. 15 at a hospital in Clarkston, Idaho. A graveside memorial service is planned for Memorial Day weekend 2007 at the North Powder Cemetery. The details of the service will be announced at a later date.

Johnny was born July 19, 1947 to Beatrice and Fred Rorden, in Culberson, N.C. His family moved to Adrian, in Malheur County, shortly after his birth, settling in the Beg Bend area on the banks of the Snake River.

Johnny loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter until ill health took its toll on him. He would still ride out into the woods with his brother, Clarence, and help him "sight out the game" and "keep him from getting lost."

He was an auto mechanic, learning very young from his uncle Earl Rorden, then the head mechanic at the Bronson Wrecking Yard between Union and La Grande. After crushing his hand at the job their, Johnny went to trade school and became an auto parts salesman. He worked in Boardman for many years, then moved to Enterprise in 1986, where he was a carpenter-handyman.

Johnny loved children and had a happy and contagious sense of humor. A caring and gentle man, he would go out of his way to help anyone in need. He had a strong will to live and accept life as it came, always finding the good in each situation. A strong Christian, Johnny read the Bible daily until poor eyesight prevented him from doing so.

He battled many severe illnesses, including congestive heart failure and diabetes, and underwent heart bypass surgery about 10 years ago. He enjoyed making others laugh, even when he was in severe pain himself.

Survivors include his siblings and their spouses, Gary and Barbara Payne Erwin of Otis, Clarence Rorden of Enterprise and Ted Rorden of Union, and several nieces and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and a half brother, Jim Payne, all formerly of Union.