Cory J.
We never know what a day may bring we only know that we are at the grace of God. Cory James Gonalez Rath, born on March 14th in the year of 1992, grew his wings on Tuesday, February 22, 2011. My first thoughts of hearing the news was dear God why Cory and not me, he was such a young man, full of life, dreams and goals.

Friends spoke of Cory about his goodness as a person, his ability to make you laugh, his skills as a surfer, skier and being there when you needed a friend to talk to. Cory was a very special person because he walked his own path and seemed to know clearly right from wrong. So here we are sitting here remembering the greatness of Cory and missing him because of the love of life he gave to all of us. One can’t help but to feel honored by him being in our lives and knowing we were blessed because of his presence.

With thousands of comments on Cory’s face book page pretty much says how his friends and people who met him felt about him as a person.  read more »

Charley LaVenture, age 61, died peacefully in Boulder, Colorado on October 27th, 2009, from a rare form of leukemia (CMML). He was surrounded by friends and family during his final days. Charley was born in San Diego, January 22, 1948 and spent his 21st birthday in Vietnam in the Marine Corps. He and Sally met in Portland in 1972 and they moved to Hood River in 1975. In Hood River, he liked to think of himself as “the village potter”, creating mugs and dinnerware, as well as pieces of art for all to enjoy. Sally owned Waucoma Bookstore for many years and his pottery was always featured in the front window. Charley and Sally raised two wonderful daughters in Hood River, Rainy and Willow, who later moved to Colorado to continue their schooling and begin their careers.  read more »