Myrle George Rambo

Myrle George Rambo, 78, of La Grande, died Nov. 18 at Providence Portland Medical Center.

Graveside services will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at Hermiston Cemetery.

Myrle was born April 11, 1931, to Leonard and Edna Rambo in La Grande.

He was raised in Cove and graduated from Cove High School in 1949. He went to work for the Union Pacific Railroad after graduation. Shortly thereafter, he joined the Navy with several friends and served four years during the Korean War. He completed 43 years of employment with Union Pacific Railroad working as a brakeman and as a conductor.

On Aug. 28, 1957, he married Patricia Hunt of Hermiston. They had two children, Shannon and David Rambo. His job required him to live in several locations including Hermiston, La Grande and Ontario.

Myrle enjoyed aviation, hunting, fishing and playing pool. He earned his pilot's license and became a flight instructor while living in Ontario. He became involved in crop dusting and eventually owned and operated Rambo Flying Service until his health forced him to sell the business. He owned a Piper Pawnee and an Aztec aircraft. Myrle kept up with aviation news through television, magazines and newspapers.

He is survived by his children, Shannon and David Rambo of La Grande; sisters, Nadine Hiett of El Paso, Texas, Darlene Payne, Judy Hoffman and Karen Schmidt of Hermiston; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Patricia on Nov. 11, 2005; half-sister, Ruby Bray; and half-brothers, Ray, Fred and Howard Rambo.

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