Orval Earl Caverhill - JULY 14, 1928 - APRIL 21, 2023

Orval Earl Caverhill, 94, of Nyssa, Oregon passed away peacefully on April 21, 2023. He was born in Walla Walla, Washington on July 14, 1928 to Earl and Alda Caverhill. After going to grade school in Long Creek, Oregon he was raised mainly in Vale, Oregon. Following high school, he entered Oregon State University on an ROTC Scholarship majoring in agriculture. During his time at OSU, he was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. At OSU he was a boxer and fought in AAU and Golden Globe tournaments and was OSU’s featherweight champion for three years. After he graduated from OSU, he married, Marion (Pat) Patton and started farming in Vale. He taught agriculture at the local high school, and managed a cattle operation with his father. Then he moved to Elgin, Oregon to manage a seed company, but 6 months later he was called to active duty with the US Air Force. Major Caverhill was a pilot and given the National Defense Service Medal for his service during the Korean War. When he worked for Simplot Soilbuilders, they wrote an article naming him “The man of many hats”. He loved politics. One of his great loves, was the Junior Chamber of Commerce, also known as the Jaycee’s, where he served as both the Oregon State President as well as the National Vice President. In the early 60s he met with President Kennedy in the oval office to discuss making seatbelts available in vehicles. Orval was Malheur counties campaign manager for Governor Mark Hatfield. He was active in the Young Republicans, worked for the March of Dimes, the Red Cross, and belonged to the Elks and Eagles. He was Oregon’s first Poison Control Specialist. As an entrepreneur, throughout his life he owned and operated Valley Land and Cattle, Valley Spray Service, Valley Fencing and Valley Packers. When he had spare time, he loved to hunt, fish and raft. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marion, of 59 years, daughters Susan and Sandy; his father, Earl Caverhill; mother, Alda Frederick Caverhill; a brother, Berthel Caverhill; sister, Nola Caverhill Campbell and his grandson, Christopher. He is survived by his two daughters, Ann and Lynn, 3 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Anyone choosing to make a memorial contribution may do so to the Alzheimer’s Association. He was a man that loved God and his country, and he will be truly missed. No public service will take place, only a family gathering at a later date.