‘Angie’ Kirby

Haines, 1976-2019

Angela “Angie” Kirby, 43, of Haines, died in the early morning hours of Aug. 2, 2019. She lost her battle with cancer. She put up a hard courageous fight all the way to the end. She never quit.

A private family celebration will be held at a later date.

Angie was born on Jan. 29, 1976, at Quincy, Illinois, to Leonard and Carolyn Simonson. She was a vivacious child who grew into a beautiful lady full of life. Angie was raised in La Grande. Throughout her life she lived in Ewing, Missouri, Ontario and Baker City.

Angie attended OHSU through EOU where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Nursing. After graduation and passing her NCLEX, Angie attained a job working on the medical Surgical floor at Saint Alphonsus Medical Center in Baker City. Angie loved being a registered nurse and taking care of people. She was affectionately referred to as “the short one with an attitude.”

Angie married John Kirby in April of 1996. They met while they were both employed at Marvin Wood Products in Baker City. They later divorced.

Angie enjoyed traveling, hiking, yard work, music and shopping. Her most memorable accomplishments included the births of her children and earning her bachelor’s degree. She will be remembered as being a good mom and nurse.

Angie is survived by her daughters, Kayla and Kimberly Kirby; her mother, Carolyn Crabb; her sisters, Tammy Jardine and Vicki Simonson; her brother, Dean Simonson; and her furry companions, Bear and Addison.

Angie was preceded in death by her father, Leonard Simonson Sr.; and her grandparents, Murial Hardisty, Claude Crabb, and Leonard and Geraldean Simonson.

For those who would like to make a donation in memory of Angie the family suggests the Hilary Bonn Benevolence Fund through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834. Online condolences can be made at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com

Austin Coates

Baker City, 1976-2019

Derrick Austin Coates, 32, of Baker City, died on Aug. 5, 2019, near Baker City.

His memorial service will take place on Saturday, Aug. 17 at 4 p.m. at the Baker Elks Lodge No. 338, 1896 Second St., with military and Elks honors. The Elks Drum and Bugle Corps will also be present to honor Austin. Following the service, a reception will be held at the Elks.

Austin was born on June 18, 1987, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to Austin W. Coates and Cindy L. Nordquist. He attended Irmo High School at Columbia, South Carolina, and graduated in 2005. After high school, he served 6 years in the United States Navy where he attended Naval Nuclear Power School. Following his service in the Navy, Austin was a student at Blue Mountain Community College and Eastern Oregon University.

On July 3, 2017, Austin married Charlie Thomas in Baker City. He enjoyed the outdoors, reading, volunteer work, Drum and Bugle Corps, history, and he loved sushi. He was a member of the Baker City Elks, an officer with the Baker Eagles, a chaplain at the VFW and a member of the Drum and Bugle Corps.

He was proud to have received a National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy “E” Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal and many other certifications, awards and accomplishments. He was a 4.0 student and took pride in his work.

Survivors include his wife, Charlie Coates, his son, Fawkes Coates, his parents, Jerry and Cindy Endicott, and his parents-in-law, Charles and Linda Thomas, all of Baker City; his father, Austin Wayne Coates of North Powder; his brothers, Brandon (Wendi) Coates of Salem, and Ryan (Jessica) Hall of Junction City; his stepbrother, Kyle (Collette) Endicott of San Diego, California; his brother-in-law, Jeremiah Thomas of Boise; his grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces.

He was joined in heaven by his unborn baby.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fawkes Coates Education Fund through Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.

To light a candle in memory of Austin, or to leave a condolence for his family, go to www.grayswestco.com

Daniel Keister

Formerly of Baker City, 1964-2019

Daniel Dale Keister, 55, of Wichita, Kansas, and a former Baker City resident, dead peacefully at his home on Aug. 1, 2019.

We are deeply saddened by this unexpected loss, his family said. We all know that Dan’s memory will live on far beyond his time on this Earth, but he will be greatly missed by those who were lucky enough to have known him.

His memorial service will take place on Saturday, Aug. 17 at noon at the Haines Baptist Church, followed by a luncheon. A celebration of Dan’s life will take place Aug. 17 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Lefty’s Taphouse, 1934 Broadway St. in Baker City. All are welcome to attend.

Dan was born on May 18, 1964, at Westminster, California, but moved to Baker City with his family in 1969. Although he spent most of his life in Eastern Oregon, he never lost that Cali boy swag. His blonde flowing locks were all the rage; he was often referred to as “the king of cool” and most gals remember him as their “first crush.” After graduating from Baker High School in 1982, Dan worked in many trades from roofing, to working on a drill rig, to eventually commercial painting where he finally found his passion. During this time he also became a father to Danielle Renee (1987) and Kenneth Ray (1990).

The years following he continued painting and planted his roots in Portland. There he started his own business venture, Spraymasters Painting, that still operates today. During this time in Portland he welcomed another son, Anthony Daniel (1998), and soon after relocated to Glen Mills, Pennsylvania. While in Pennsylvania, a fourth and final son was added to the Keister crew, Sam Daniel (2003), and he couldn’t have been more thrilled. Dan loved being a dad, and his children were his pride and joy. Many years later, Dan took a job offer in Kansas where he lived out his life.

Only two things were truly important to Dan — his kids and his loved ones, which included many lifelong friends. Danielle, Kenny, Anthony and Sam were the light of Dan’s life and he made sure everyone he encountered knew it.

Dan found great pleasure in the little things, a good song, his many pets, a new friendship, helping people out, being optimistic and encouraging, a great gas station, a fresh white pair of tennis shoes, a good cup of coffee, a sweet treat (preferably a Butterfinger) and the wind blowing in his face as he rode his Harley.

Dan is survived by his daughter, Danielle Hansen; his sons, Kenny Keister, Anthony Keister and Sam Keister; his son-in-law, Alex Hansen and soon-to-be daughter-in-law, Brittany Van Dyken; his sister, Tammy Combes; his brother, James Keister; his brother-in-law, Stan Combes; his nieces, Sarah Lemon and Debra Jo Allen; his great-nephews, Andrew Allen, Logan Allen, Dillon Lemon and Dane Lemon; and many other surviving relatives.

We are confident that he was welcomed with open arms by his late parents, Kenneth Keister and Cheryl and Charlie Hilderbrand, his family said. We find comfort in knowing that Dan is at peace, free from suffering, and finally reunited with his favorite dogs and cats.

This isn’t goodbye, it’s see you later…Dad, Daddy, Dan, Danny, “Danny Boy”, Uncle Dan, little brother, brother and cherished friend.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Dan’s honor to the Baker Little League, P.O. Box 505, Baker City, Oregon 97814.

Holly Borne

Baker City, 1980-2019

Holly Borne, 39, of Baker City, died on Aug. 5, 2019, at Juniper Meadows Foster Care in Baker City.

A memorial service for Holly will take place in Louisiana, with the date, place and time to be announced.

Holly Elizabeth Borne was born on April 24, 1980, at Hammond, Louisiana. She was raised and attended school in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, and graduated from Ponchatoula High School. Holly loved to travel, she had a “gypsy soul.” Holly moved to Natchitoches, Louisiana, where she attended North-Western State University and pursued a bachelor’s degree in Social Work.

Holly enjoyed cooking, baking and riding motorcycles. Her good friend Nate shares a story of Holly getting up and dancing on a motorcycle while she was riding it, he says it almost gave him a heart attack. She could fall asleep while riding on the back of a motorcycle. Holly lived life to its fullest, she was fun, easygoing, stubborn as hell and bullheaded. She was Nate’s ABC (Ace Boon Coon) and evil little troll.

“Fly High Holly,” he said.

She loved meeting people and walked to the beat of her own drum.

Nate continues to share that Holly was vertically challenged or, better put, “fun sized.” She loved the color purple and ghost orchids.

Holly was a 33-year liver transplant survivor. Holly was a volunteer at MayDay, Inc. from January to May, when she got so sick. She knew Jesus as her personal savior and was looking forward to being with her mom in heaven. She will leave her footprints on all the hearts of those she touched.

Holly is survived by her aunts, Judy Crowe and Nell Harper; her longtime friend, Nate Brown; many friends and extended family; and four-legged companions, Greyero and Hurley.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edwin John and Janice (Young) Bourne Jr.; her infant brother, Edwin John Borne III; her maternal grandparents, Albin G. and Elizabeth S. Young; and her paternal grandparents, Edwin J and Dorothy Borne.

A huge thank you to Heart ’NHome Hospice and Juniper Meadows Foster Care Home for their love and care that was provided to Holly in her final days.

For those who would like to make a donation in memory of Holly, she has been writing a book for several years and Nate would like to have it published. “Even if it is one copy it was her dream to do so,” he said. Those donations may be made through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834. Online condolences can be made at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com