John Edward Wenholz Jr. of Irrigon passed away in Irrigon on Dec. 1, 2023 at the age of 81.
He was born on May 6, 1942 in Portland to John and Barbara Kendig Wenholz.
John grew up in Portland where he attended schools, graduating from Madison High School in the class of 1960. After high school, he served in the U.S. Army for two years in Special Forces Airborne Division. After his honorable discharge he returned to Portland, where he worked as an iron worker for several years.
In 1973, John moved to Boardman and then to Irrigon in 1974, where he had resided for the past 49 years. As a small business owner he bought, sold and transported hay for several years. In 1995 he started Irrigon Motors where he sold trucks, and in the late 1990s he built Irrigon Mini Storage. In 1996 he was elected Morrow County commissioner and served in that capacity from 1997 until 2009.
John was very fond of horses, hot rods and drag racing and was a lifelong fan of baseball. He was dedicated to the community of Irrigon and supported the community in many ways.
John married Jeanette Hurlburt in Portland on Oct. 6, 1967. She preceded him in death on Dec. 9, 2020. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Jennifer; his parents; and a brother, David.
He is survived by a son, Jeff (Melanie) Wenholz; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren from his daughter Jennifer; and a sister, Barbara Woodman.
A private family burial will be in Desert Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Irrigon.
Family suggests memorial donations be made to Oregon Health & Science University, Casey Eye Institute, OHSU Foundation, P.O. Box 29017, Portland, Ore., 97296.
To leave an online condolence for the family, please go to burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
