Thomas Booher

Thomas "Wade" Booher, age 81, a lifetime resident of La Grande, died July 28, 2010 at his home. A celebration of life will begin at 11:00 a.m. at Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center on Wednesday, August4, 2010. Private interment will be held at the Island City Cemetery.

Wade was born on August 13, 1928, the son of Thomas H. and Ruth E. (Schneider) Booher in La Grande. He attended Willow Grade School and graduated from La Grande High School in 1947. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Marines Reserve and later a medical discharge he served with the Army National Guard. He married Deleva Y. Carper on August 26, 1950 in La Grande. He was hired on with Union Pacific Railroad as a fireman and later became and engineer. He retired after 38 years of service.

Wade was active in the Masonic Lodge he was a member for 58 years and was a 32 degree Mason. During those years he served as the youngest Worshipful Master at the time. He was a member of the Scottish Rite and the Al Kader Shrine, where he was a long-time manager of the East/West Shrine football game and was also involved with the food caravans. He was also very active with the Elks Lodge. He served as a Trustee and was involved with the Christmas food baskets. He was a tireless volunteer for the many banquets through the years. He was also a member of the NRA, the Oregon Hunter's Association, the Rocky Mtn. Elk Foundation and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.

Wade served as a school board member form 1969 until 1976, during this time he was able to hand out high school diplomas to his two children and two nieces. He was a lifetime hunter and fisherman. He also enjoyed camping and then RVing after retirement with friends. He was a sports fan and enjoyed watching them on T.V. and attending games in person.

Survivors include his wife, Dee Booher of La Grande; children, Tom and Sue Booher of Rogue River, Oregon and Sandra and Bill Southard of Island City; his "little buddy", his dog, Casey; brother, Fred Booher of Davenport, Washington; many nieces, nephews and other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his four sisters, Dorothy, Esther, Emmabell and Grace.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriner's Hospital for Children, the "KidTalk" (a Oregon Scottish Rite Clinic) or a charity of choice in care of Daniels~Knopp, 1502 7th Street in La Grande.

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