Everett Milton Grife

Everett Milton Grife Everett Milton Grife 6/4/1923 – 11/14/2013 Everett was born in Barnes City, Iowa to Henry and Lizzie Grife. As a depression-era child, Ev learned to make do with what he had. He was an inquisitive problem solver, continually disassembling mechanical things to figure out how they worked. He used that knowledge to repair, build, and invent tools and equipment they needed on the family farm. Ev was no stranger to hard work. He was on his own at the age of 15. Too young to join the CCC’s, he put rocks in his pockets and lifts in his shoes to convince the officer in charge to accept him. There he learned to run heavy equipment. In WWII, Ev enlisted in the Navy/CBs, serving in Okinawa and China. After the war, he met and married Helen Maxine Leathers, his best friend and loving life partner for 66 years. An adventuresome couple, they loaded their belongings into their 15 foot Alma Trailer, left their families behind, and arrived in Glenwood, Oregon in 1948. In 1949, they purchased timberland. Ev, with the help of family who followed him to Oregon, logged the land to pay for it. Once again, demonstrating his resourcefulness, he designed and built a unique large-scale, highly portable saw mill to help him with his endeavor. Everett joined the Local 701 Operating Engineers Union in 1963. Over his career, he traveled throughout Oregon and SW Washington contributing to the construction of major dams, processing plants, roadways, water drainage systems, river platings, etc. He took great pride in his role in shaping our regional history. Although these projects took him away from home for extended periods, he made this sacrifice to provide for the family that was the center of his life. Ev “physically” built three homes and continued to live in the last one until his death. He loved visiting with people and was an entertaining story teller (a chronicler of family history). He loved music and taught himself to play guitar and mandolin at an early age. Singing and playing with friends and family as well as gardening, traveling, and woodworking brought him great joy. He was also happy to share his mechanical problem solving ability with the many who came to him for advice. A stranger was just a friend he hadn’t yet met. With his sense of humor and sincere interest in people, Ev had no shortage of friends. Ev and Helen were generous to those in need and shared their home with others throughout their marriage. They supported elderly neighbors and sometimes complete strangers. Everett was preceded in death by the love of his life, Helen, on August 4, 2013. His legacy will continue to inspire his two daughters, Catherine Fulbright and Connie Hedberg (Larry), 7 grandchildren (he was preceded in death by a granddaughter), 4 granddaughters-in-law, and 3 great grandchildren. Everett’s Memorial Service will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at 85780 McBeth Rd in Eugene on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 10:30 a.m., with reception to follow. Memorial donations may be sent to the Eugene Salvation Army or the Eugene Mission. Arrangements entrusted to Lane Memorial Funeral Home. Please access the obituary and you are invited to sign the guestbook at musgroves.com