Connie H. Maret Sr. died on March 9, 2024 at his home in Hermiston at the age of 90.
He was born on Jan. 18, 1934 in Enid, Okla. to Leo Miles Maret and May Dupus Maret.
Connie was raised in Oklahoma until moving to Payette, Idaho in 1946 and then to Hermiston in 1953, where he had lived since. He went to work for Union Pacific Railroad in 1954 before enlisting in the United States Army in 1956 and served in Korea until his honorable discharge in 1958. Connie returned to Hermiston and his job with the railroad, working his way up to section foreman, retiring in 1995.
He was very active at the Maxwell Siding Railroad Museum for many years. Connie helped to maintain the equipment and was always willing to tell stories to the visitors about his knowledge and experiences working. He enjoyed going to yard sales, auctions, the mountains, old cars, camping, fishing, building mail box bird houses and tinkering in his yard. Connie loved his pets over the years with his special dog, Bella and cat, Chester. He was a member of the American Legion, Operation Life Saver through the railroad, the Moose lodge and the Eagles lodge. Connie often called his daughter to tell her good morning and later to tell her good night. He always thought of others and would often buy things at sales and stop on his way home to gift the item to someone he thought would benefit from it.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia “Pat” Maret, Hermiston; sons, Connie Maret Jr. and his wife Kelly, Hermiston, Glenn Maret and his wife Celeste, Irrigon and James Maret and his wife Christy, Nyssa; daughter, Debra Tyler and her husband Mark, Ariel, Wash.; grandchildren, Dave, Angie, Justin, Dustin, Chris, Matthew, Christopher, Michelle, Connie Lee, Jamie, Brooke, Megan and Jelissa; great-grandchildren, Alexia, Sean, Trenten, Nora and many others; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Connie was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Larry Maret; a daughter, Colleen Maret; brother, William “Bill” Maret; sister, Betty Kammerzell; and a grandson, Jason Anteau.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 11 a.m. at Burns Mortuary Chapel, Hermiston.
Burial with military honors will follow at the Hermiston Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Connie’s memory to Pet Rescue, 1844 N.W. Geer Road, Hermiston, Ore., 97838.
Please share memories of Connie with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
