Virgil Dudley Cribbs

Virgil Dudley Cribbs, age 87, of La Grande, died Wednesday, May 25, 2005 at the Grande Ronde Hospital. A celebration of life will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 31, 2005 at Daniels Chapel of the Valley with The Rev. Vernon Slippy of the Grande Ronde Community Church officiating. Committal and interment will follow at the Hillcrest Cemetery. Viewing will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Monday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Mr. Cribbs was born on November 11, 1917, at Lovell, Wyoming, the son of Pearl and Mary May (Hixon) Cribbs. In his younger years he was a cowboy and cattleman and drove cattle over the great divide. In 1939 he moved from Montana to Mill City, Oregon and in 1941 he married Velma Suverson. In 1956 he moved first to Enterprise and then a few months later to La Grande. He owned and operated his own logging company for many years and was later employed by the Lathrop logging business. In 1968 he married Claire Stillman.

Mr. Cribbs was a member of the Elks Lodge and the Oregon Log Trucking Association. He attended the Grande Ronde Community Church and enjoyed attending shooting events. He enjoyed hunting and traveling through the mountains of Eastern Oregon and to visit family scattered around the states. He was a true "Gentleman" and was respected by not only his family but also his friends and fellow workers for always being there for them. He was a wonderful husband, father and friend.

Survivors include his wife, Claire Cribbs of La Grande; children, Larry and Shirley Cribbs of Island City and Sharyn and Marvin Nunn of La Grande; step-children, Edith and Bob McGee of Eminence, Kentucky and Dorothy and Art Keener of Clarkston, Washington; five grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Leona and Joe Smith of Hotchkiss, Colorado; and other relatives and friends. His parents and three siblings preceded him in death.

Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Mr. Cribbs to the Lions Eye Bank in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.