Vernon Esbond Hoxie

Vernon Esbond Hoxie, age 86, of La Grande, died September 3, 2003 at his home in La Grande.


A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley with Pastor Gary Hood of the Pioneer Park Church of God officiating. Private interment will be held later at the Mountain View Park Cemetery in Colville, Washington.

Mr. Hoxie was born May 18, 1917 in the little town of Orin, Washington to Sadie (Deardorff) and Delbert Hoxie. Except for two years in the United States Army, he spent his first 61 years in that area. He married Evelyn Streit in 1936 and they had two children, Robert Warren and Patricia Ann. Evelyn passed away in 1978. In 1979 he married Retta Hoxie, widow of his half-brother, Les Hoxie. He worked in logging, sawmills and over 30 years for the Steven County, Washington Road Department. He moved to La Grande from Colville, Washington in 1979.


Mr. Hoxie loved fishing, hunting, travel and attending his grandchildren's sporting events. He was a member of the Pioneer Park Church of God and belonged to the Happy Ramblers Travel Club. He had formerly belonged to the Eagles Lodge and the Grange.


He leaves his wife, Retta of La Grande; son-in-law, Don Riggleman of Libby, Montana; step-daughter, Ruth Lester of La Grande; seven grandchildren, Mike, David, Leigh, Hal, Lonnie, Lorrie and Roxie; five step-grandchildren, Becky, Lisa, Brenda, Marci and Tamra; fifteen great grandchildren; six step-great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his first wife, three half brothers, a sister, a son, a daughter and one grandson.


Memorial contributions can be made to the Shelter From The Storm or Birthright, in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.