Kenneth L. Fordice

Kenneth L. Fordice, age 71, formerly of North Powder and Cove, passed away peacefully in his sleep Saturday, December 16, 2006 in Winston, Oregon. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, December 21, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at the North Powder Cemetery in North Powder, Oregon. Viewing will be held on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande. Oregon.

He was born August 28, 1935 in Enterprise, Oregon to Willard and Lela (Gray) Fordice. He grew up on a ranch near Flora on the breaks of the Grande Ronde River and later moved with his family to North Powder where he attended school. He married Donna Cox of Haines in 1956 but was later divorced. He later married his loving wife of 20 years Elsie.

He honorably served in the armed forces, worked on a ranch, which is what he loved most, and then worked as an engineer for the Oregon Department of Transportation for 30 years before retiring. He and Elsie then moved to Cove to be close to his mother and help his daughter and husband on their ranch. Recently he and Elsie moved back to Winston.

Survivors include his wife Elsie of Winston; mother, Lela Fordice of Baker City; son, Tony Fordice of Burns, daughter Teena and husband Chuck Ballard of Union; step-daughter Lois and husband Dave Foster of Seattle; brother Keith and wife Judy Fordice of Hermiston; sister Myrna and husband Ivan Hale of Montana, and sister Sandy and husband Ron Sanders of Arizona; five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his father, Willard Fordice and sister, Donna. He was greatly loved and will be missed by all.

Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Kenneth L. Fordice to the charity of choice in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.