Lloyd Cummins Spikes

Lloyd Cummins Spikes passed away February 14, 2006. He was 90 years of age, and had lived in Elgin for more than 60 years.

Lloyd was born in Elgin May 1, 1915 to Lloyd F. and Elva Cummins Spikes, and was the eldest of seven children. Lloyd grew up living and working on farms in Union county. After graduating from Union high school, Lloyd worked at Bill Moore's Pondosa Pine Lumber Company in Elgin, and at occasional carpentering jobs. Upon receiving his draft notice during WWII, he served in the Navy from 1944 to 1946 aboard LST476 in the Pacific.

Following WWII, Lloyd returned to carpentering. In the early 1950's he partnered with Maurice Sherwood, and the two owned and operated a small sawmill outside of Enterprise, Oregon. In the late 1950's, Lloyd started a construction business, and over the next 24 years, built sawmill and school additions, many barns and several houses throughout the Grande Ronde Valley.

Lloyd married Florence E. Walter of Touchet, WA in August of 1936. They soon moved to Elgin, where they raised three children and lived the remainder of their lives. Florence preceded Lloyd in death in December of 1996. Lloyd married Beth Miller in 1998. She passed away in 2004.

Throughout his adult life, Lloyd felt a responsibility for civic involvement. He was a member of the Elgin City Council for several years, and was elected and served as Mayor of Elgin for three terms. Lloyd enjoyed fishing and hunting, and after retiring in 1980, discovered the game of golf. He was a devoted duffer, and enjoyed several years, and many rounds of play with friends and family on regional golf courses.

Survivors include three children and their spouses: Carrol and Chuck Turk of Portland, Connie and Tom Flaskerud of Las Vegas, NV, and Mike and Kristy Spikes of Corvallis. Lloyd is also survived by two sisters, Helen Maxwell of Walla Walla, WA, Mary Ann Hazelwood of Ellensburg, WA, and also his aunt Katherine Strauss, of Coos Bay. He leaves behind five grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and numerous younger relatives.

Lloyd was preceded in death by siblings Dorothy Faught, Tom Spikes, Jean Weaver, and Dale Spikes.

At his request, there was no funeral or graveside service. A celebration of his life will be held by family and friends in the warm days of spring or summer. The family thanks the staff of Wildflower Lodge assisted living facility for their attentive care the last four weeks of his life. Memorial donations are invited to be made to Grande Ronde Hospice in La Grande, who also assisted in Lloyd's end of life care, in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.