Myron Evo Mortier

Myron Evo Mortier, son of Gustof & Mary Grace (Hayter) Mortier, was born on October 12, 1933 in La Grande, Oregon. He graduated from La Grande High School in 1951 at the age of 17 and immediately joined the Navy as a member of the “Kiddie Cruise.” He attended 6 months of Sonar School to operate & maintain sonar equipment. He was stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii serving on the destroyer USS Carpenter during the Korean War. He received an honorable discharge in August 1954. Returning to La Grande, he married Jacqueline (Clark) Mortier with whom he celebrated 60 years of marriage this past November. Together they had 3 daughters. Myron graduated with a 3.98 GPA from Oregon Tech Institute in August of 1957 with a degree in Medical Technology.

The family moved to Dayton, Washington where he was employed at Brining Memorial Hospital/Dayton General Hospital as a Lab/X-ray Technician until 1962 when he took a short break to work at a hospital in Pendleton, Oregon. He returned to Dayton in May of 1962 as a Lab/X-ray Tech and an assistant to the Administrator. In December of 1965, he filled the position of Administrator & in 1968, he completed and received certification in the Basic Administration Course for Health Care Administrators from the University of Washington. He was involved with the planning & design of the new hospital and during his administration, he was influential in working with Leon Booker to secure the funding, design & Building of Booker Rest Home. In February of 1978, he left his position at Dayton General Hospital to work for Brim & Associates, in a hospital administration position which took him to several locations around the United States. He retired in 1989, returning to Dayton to be near his girls.

Myron truly loved country music. He played the steel guitar, guitar & banjo. He especially enjoyed singing songs that allowed him to use his beautiful deep bass voice. He also enjoyed fishing & gardening.

Myron is survived by his wife at home; daughters, Marva Thomas, Terri James & her husband Randy, and Cathy Abel, all of Dayton; sons-in-law, Lupe Benavides & Bob Thomas; a brother, Lester Mortier; a sister, Marvis Leighton; 9 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren & 1 great great granddaughter and numerous nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Merlin, Elmer, Donald, Victor Davis & Eileen (Davis) Conner.

A celebration of life will be held at a later day. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dayton General Hospital Auxiliary through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA.