Virgil Albert Choate

Virgil Albert Choate, age 94, of La Grande, died Thursday, September 2, 2004 at a local care facility. A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, September 8, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Committal and interment will follow at the Summerville Cemetery.

Virgil was born on July 7, 1910 on the family farm near Summerville to Thelbert A. and Mattie Hallgarth Choate. He attended schools in Elgin, a rural school in the lower Wallowa Valley, Summerville, Imbler and La Grande. He graduated from Imbler High School in 1930. That year he was one of the first 10 FFA members in Oregon to be awarded the State Farmer degree. He also won the Union Pacific scholarship to Oregon State College. This scholarship was awarded to an agriculture student in the county. But he did not finish as his father became ill and he had to return home to manage the farm. In 1933 he and his father left the farm, moved to La Grande and established Choate's Cigar Store.

He married Louise Wetzel on August 15, 1933 in Pasco, Washington. He was a fireman on the Union Pacific Railroad for 5 years, then became a partner with a brother-in-law in Melville's Gift Shop. He later sold the cigar store and bought the La Grande Outdoor Supply which he ran until his retirement. Altogether he was a merchant in La Grande for over 45 years.

Virgil was a life member of the nation Good Sam Club and a charter member of the Tri-Mountain Good Sam chapter. He was a life member of the Elks Lodge and a member of the Eagles. He was a member of the Union County museum, Union County Historical Society, Elgin Historical Society and the Wasco County Museum and Discovery Center. He was a stand-by Sam helping Good Sam members to plan their trip here. He was a good family man. He enjoyed helping people and fed many hungry people. He enjoyed fishing and hunting but after retirement he preferred RV travel with his wife.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Louise Wetzel Choate. He is survived by a son, Virgil L. Choate and his wife, Carolyn of The Dalles; a daughter, Nancy Christensen of Lebanon, Oregon; a sister, Genevieve Turner of Beaverton; four granddaughters, Louisa Christensen and Sara and John Lee, all of Corvallis, Cathy and Perry England of Bellevue, Washington and Judy and Tyler Kendall of Oregon City; great grandchildren, Ivy and Conner Farrell of Corvallis, Zachary and Sebastian Lee of Corvallis, Zachary England of Bellevue, Washington and Austin, Alyson and Adam Kendall of Oregon City; other relatives and special friend, Dick Mason of La Grande.

Since he greatly enjoyed history and old photographs the family suggests contributions be made to the Union County Museum, the Elgin Historical Society or the Union County Historical Society in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.