Lynn Shumway

Lynn Roger Shumway

September 28,1939 - September 21, 2017  Long time Bridgeport rancher, Lynn Roger Shumway left this earthly realm to be with Jesus, whom he loved, September 21, 2017 after a long journey with cancer. His beloved wife Lila went ahead of him by one day.  A Memorial Service for Lynn and Lila will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.at Calvary Baptist Church on the corner of 3rd  Street and Broadway in Baker City.  Friends are invited to join the family for a reception to be held immediately following the service at the church.

Over a span of sixteen years Walter William and Iva Bernice (Walters) Shumway were graced with seven children. Lynn, the fourth child was born September 28, 1939. The family was made up of three groups; The Big Kids: Bill, Duane and Steve; The Little Kids: Lynn and Ross; and The Girls: Marjie and Esther. Lynn was the true middle child and the oldest of The Little Kids. Our family lost our Mother when Lynn was fifteen. In order to keep the little sisters with the family, the five boys had to take on being secondary parents, as well as ranch duties. The Shumway brothers, except for Steve who sold his interest in the ranch early, and moved to Idaho, continued to work the ranch together until it was sold.

Lynn attended school at Hereford, graduating from there in 1957. He had memories of having more than a few fights in the early years, resulting in bloody noses, because of his name. He often wondered why his parents named him Lynn, or what inspired his name. In his senior year he was cast in the role of Scrooge in the play, The Christmas Carol. It required a copious amount of memorization which proved easy for him. Later in life he would use that gift to memorize large portions of the Bible.

After high school Lynn enrolled at Oregon Technical Institute, where he graduated with an Associate's Degree in agriculture in 1959. He played both football and basketball while there. Upon graduation he returned home to work on the ranch he enlisted in the Army. He was more than ready to experience some adventure and was happy to serve Uncle Sam for two years at Fort Lewis, WA., particularly after hearing his older brothers’ stories of there. He was trained to be a cook, but luckily he was a big tall guy, and much to his relief, that fact helped him end up as a Military Policeman. He was a Deputy Game Warden over a vast reserve which suited him perfectly. He came home with many of his own stories to share.

Upon returning home he allowed his roots to grow deep into ranch life. Despite the struggles that came with ranching, Lynn loved it! He was a born-cowboy. He was never interested in looking for anything different. But there are a few drawbacks to country living. When you live at the end of a gravel road many miles from anywhere, it's tough to find a mate. When he began longing for a wife, Lynn ask God if He would send a gal his way, then gave him a couple of names as possibilities. Two long years went by without an answer. Finally, at the start of the 1966 school year, his youngest sister, Esther, came home and announced there was a new teacher….and she was single! Her name was Lila Umpleby. Their faces remained blank but shortly thereafter Esther overheard Lynn telling Ross he remembered meeting Lila a few years before at church in Baker. Esther, deciding to help things along, invited Lila to supper--she accepted. It didn’t hurt that Lila was a tall slender, dark haired beauty, and being a farmer's daughter as well was a definite plus! After that initial meeting Lynn developed a sudden interest in high school sports, traveling to every possible game where a pretty young teacher/girls coach would be in attendance. It wasn't long before there was a question posed---an affirmative answer given. Lynn and Lila were married July 29, 1967.

In 1974 the family of two became a family four upon the adoption of Karl and Kara. Lynn continued to ranch, while Lila took care of the children, made draperies and  eventually returned to teaching; this time in Baker City. Later Lynn and Lila adopted their grandson, Tony, who added a whole new dimension of joy and challenge to their lives as they learned many things about autism.

Lynn was active in his community. He was invested in, and served with the Burnt River Community Church. He loved the fellowship there, and would willingly preach if the Pastor was gone. He performed many funerals for friends and neighbors over the years. He also served as Chairman of the Board for the Burnt River Irrigation District for many years. He served on the Baker County Planning Commission.

Lynn was a man of passion. He expressed much of his emotion through poetry. Lynn loved the land and the wildlife that inhabited the ranch. He spoke often of watching the Sand Hill Cranes do their mating dance or of the time he was witness to the Sage Grouse mating ritual. Ultimately though, to Him there wasn't anything cuter than a Hereford calf. In the spring he reveled in watching them run, jump and play with boundless energy.

The need to sell the ranch was a particularly difficult thing for Lynn to accept. If he had had a choice of how he could leave this earth, he probably would have elected to be on his horse riding the range.

Lynn and Lila had fifty years of a loving partnership, but they were too ill to celebrate that milestone.

He was predeceased by his parents, and wife Lila.

Lynn is survived by sons: Karl (Ali) Shumway of Portland; Tony Shumway, of Baker City; daughter, Kara (Steve) Strutz, of Baker City. Granddaughter: Kami and two great-grand children; Brothers: Bill (Sally) Shumway, Bridgeport, OR; Duane (Beulah) Shumway, Baker City, OR; Steve (Elsie) Shumway, Council, ID; Ross (Patty) Shumway, Summerville, OR; Sisters: Marjie (David) Pidcock, La Grande, OR; Esther (George) Smith, La Grande, OR, and many nieces and nephews.

They will be sorely missed. Rest in peace dear ones.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Burnt River Community Church or Village Missions through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834.  On line condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com

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