Dearly loved by all who knew him, Owen Roy Anson passed quietly at his home in Hermiston on Nov. 15, 2023 at the age of 98. He was surrounded by loved ones and holding the hand of his loving wife.
Born in La Grande on Dec. 2, 1924 to Jesse and Catherine Anson, Owen moved with his family to Hermiston when he was 7 years old. He was educated in Hermiston, graduating from Hermiston High School in 1942. He worked on the family dairy farm throughout his youth before serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II as an aviation ordnanceman second class. After the war he returned to the Pacific Northwest, residing in Oregon and Washington and eventually returning to Hermiston, where he lived for the remainder of his life.
Owen married MaryAnn MacDonald at the First Christian Church in Hermiston on December 6, 1969. For many years they lived on Gillespie Lane, raising their blended family in the house he designed and built with his own hands.
A creative and self-taught man, Owen made wonderful things during his life. Gaining experience as a carpenter, sign maker and electrician, Owen participated in the construction of McNary Bridge and McNary Dam. He made a career with the Bonneville Power Administration as a meter and relay technician, retiring in 1984 with the title of system protection maintenance craftsman. He was a talented artist, painter and woodworker. He was a lifelong learner, an enthusiastic traveler, and an avid golfer who hit the links in Echo twice a week for many years.
Owen was a longtime member of Hermiston First Christian Church, where he served as deacon, elder and Sunday school teacher. He was a volunteer carpenter with Habitat for Humanity, building homes in the Hermiston area. He also welcomed youths from Mexico and El Salvador to live with his family and attend school. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, MaryAnn; three children from his first marriage, Denis Anson, Sharon Korpela and Alan Anson; daughters, Sheryl Dennis and Marla McQuatters; 19 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; one brother; and a daughter, Sandie.
A memorial service will be held at the Hermiston First Christian Church on Nov. 30 at 2 p.m.
The family suggests memorial donations be made to Agape House-Martha’s House-Eastern Oregon Mission, P.O. Box 1723, Hermiston, Ore., 97838.
To leave an online condolence for the family, please go to burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
