Robert Clarence Reid, 95, of Irrigon, Oregon died Tuesday, December 3, 2019 in Hermiston with family by his side. He was born on August 14, 1924 in Heppner to parents Clarence & Viola Reid. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, December 8 at 2:00 pm at the Harkenrider Senior Center, 255 NE 2nd Street, Hermiston, Oregon.
Robert was raised in multiple Eastern Oregon communities and attended school in John Day. His first child was born in 1944 and shortly after, Robert enlisted in the US Army where he was a committed WW II soldier. He proudly served on Okinawa and in Korea and was honorably discharged as a sergeant in 1946 and received a letter from President Roosevelt for his service in Korea.
Robert moved back to John Day, then Spray and on to Kinzua where he worked for the local sawmills for several years. He then moved to Hermiston and worked at C and B Feedlot. In 1979, he moved to Heppner and married Hazel Spivey. Robert worked at ODOT until his retirement. He remained in Heppner for 30 years before settling in Irrigon.
Robert always kept busy. He spent many days hunting and camping when he was younger, and his love for fishing continued throughout his adventurous life. He also enjoyed working with leather and raising animals, especially his sheep. Robert’s greatest love, his wood working, started early in life. He built himself two homes, but he most loved sawing logs and his time crafting hope chests, bird houses, jewelry boxes, and other nick knacks, and sharing them with family, friends and other crafters. Robert also loved music and spending time with his family.
He is survived by his children Loraine Wilson (Floyd), Raymond Reid (Deena), Janie Kepler (Darryl), Judy Walston (Michael Bothom), Debbie Bloom (Bill) and son-in-law Steve Conlee. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Hazel, siblings James Reid, Russell Reid, Lola Houtchin, Clara Whitney, and Mary Johnson, children Roberta Conlee, Melba Mitchell, and Neil Methias. Robert had 26 grandchildren, and 58 great, 28 great-great and 9 great-great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the Good Shepherd Hospital for their tender loving care.
For those wishing to make a donation in honor of Robert, they can be made to the “Wounded Warriors Project” PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517.
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