In Memory

Gary Miner - Class Of 1966

Gary Miner

Gary D. Miner

May 29, 1948-Aug. 13, 2013

Gary D. Miner was born May 29th, 1948, the first of 5 children to George and Dorothy Miner. He was soon joined by two brothers and two sisters and, growing up in the Willowcreek/Jamieson area, he never lacked for companionship when an adventure was in order. Gary was a farmer from the very start. His first job, at the age of 12, was bucking hay for Floyd McBride. He continued working for several area farmers throughout high school and into his college days at TVCC. Gary loved sports and played for the state football championship team from Vale as a junior in the fall of 1964. He graduated from Vale Union High School in 1966 and, in 1967, proposed to his high school sweetheart, Glenda Sunderland. Gary joined the National Guards in 1968 and spent that year serving as well as working for area farmers. On December 26th, 1969, he married the love of his life, Glenda, and moved briefly to Salem, Oregon, where she continued her college schooling. In March of 1970 they partnered with Glenda’s parents in Willowcreek to run Sunny M Dairy. It was here that their family began. From 1971 to 1974 the family grew by three daughters, Jackie in 1971, Reba in 1973, and Sandra in 1974. The family spent many falls hunting (or trying to hunt) with three young daughters in tow, growing the family farm and dairy, and family camping trips. Those hunting trips with his brother Steve, often joined by brother Rod, were highlights for Gary and the thing that he loved most to do throughout his life. He also traveled with his family, first to Disneyland via a camper and pickup truck when the girls were young and then into the Wallowa Mountains on horseback when the girls were older. In 1986 Gary and Glenda used the dairy buyout program to buy the full partnership from Glenda’s parents. Thus Miner Cattle Company was born and was Gary’s daily work until he retired in 2011. In 1999 Gary and Glenda’s first grandchild was born followed by seven more all the way to 2010. Gary was diagnosed with cancer in December of 2007. This did not stop him and he proved daily that he would fight hard to stay with his family and enjoy life with them. Gary, Glenda, and their daughters and families enjoyed trips to the Oregon Coast, camping in the mountains, and to Hawaii from 2008 to 2012. On August 13th, 2013, Gary passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his wife and family. To the very end he showed strength, humor, and the will to live that characterized his entire life. His presence is sorely missed but the family has peace knowing he now walks the streets of heaven with those he loved who have gone before him.

Gary is survived by his wife, Glenda, his daughters and son-in laws, Jackie and Mike Ready, Reba and Tyler Stoller, and Sandra and Matt Cooper, 7 grandchildren, and sisters Barb Kuhlman and Donna Mahan. He was preceded in death by his brothers Rod and Steve Miner, parents George and Dorothy Miner, and a grandson, Elijah. Services will be held at the Vale Christian Church on Monday, August 19th, at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Ontario Calvary Chapel Youth Ministry Fund or to any program benefitting youth.