King Elwin Spain

'WHEN I AM DEAD, I DON'T WANT NO HARP OR HALO, OR ANY OTHER DRESS-UP THINGS, JUST LET ME RIDE THE RANGE OF HEAVEN, ON AN 'OL MULE WITH WINGS'

King Elwin Spain, age 84, of La Grande died Thursday, January 16, 2003 at the Grande Ronde Hospital.


A celebration of life will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 20, 2003 at the Presbyterian Friendship Center. Private interment will be held later. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels Chapel of the Valley.


King was born on March 2, 1918, the son of Fred E. and Mabel Alta (Keuhey) Spain in Union, Oregon. He graduated from Union High School in 1936 and during World War II he served with the United States Army. He worked as a logger and then scaled logs for Boise Cascade from which he retired in 1980.

In 1940 he married Catherine Trump and she preceded him in death in 1968. In 1976 he married Erma Jean Baum and she also preceded him in death. On June 30, 1978 he married the love of his life, Lorna Allen in Reno, Nevada and they made their home in La Grande.


King was a member and Past Master of Grande Ronde Valley Lodge # 56 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He also belonged to the Scottish Rite, Al Kader Shrine and the Union County Shrine Club. He was active in selling advertisements for the East-West Shrine Football Game and supported the Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children.


King was a very humble man with strong values and integrity. He was generous with his time and care of others. He did something for someone each day of his life. He had an amazing ability to memorize and articulate poems and other work. He was a friend to all and made new friends with younger people all the time.


King was creative and artistic, creating works of art in wood and stained glass. He had a love of animals of all types, especially his horses and mule. He enjoyed camping trips in the high mountains and spending time with family and friends. One granddaughter remarked that he left a legacy of how to life and die and be happy.


Survivors include his wife, Lorna Spain of La Grande; children, Cheryl and Creighton Kooch of Enterprise, King Spain, Jr. and Pam of Union, Cindy and Tony Melnechuk of Spokane, Teresa Allen of Salem, Dan & Lucinda Allen of Boise, Valerie and Keith Braun of Tillamook and Jomarie and Steve Mouro of North Delta, British Columbia; thirteen grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends. Sons, Gary Spain and Doug Allen; sisters, Marie Colgan and Frederica Miller and granddaughter, Toni Spain preceded him in death.


Those who wish may make contributions in memory of King to the Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.

A poem often recited by King: "The Dash"

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on his tombstone from the beginning...to the end. He noted that first came the date of his birth and spoke of the following date with tears. But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years. For that dash represents all the time that he spent alive on earth...and now only those who loved him know what that little line is worth. For it matters not, how much we own; the cars...the house...the cash...what matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash. So think about this long and hard...are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left. (You could be at "dash mid-range"). If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real, and always try to understand the way other people feel. And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before. If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile...remembering that this special dash might only last a little while. So, when your eulogy's being read with your life's actions to rehash...would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?