This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marcenath Surnames: Chambers, Jones Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newmexico.counties.donaana/4445/mb.ashx Message Board Post: LaPaz-Graham Funeral Home 23 June 2010 Othniel Robert Chambers II, 82, passed away in Las Cruces , New Mexico after a long and adventurous life. His greatest joys were his wife and family, his many friends, lots of classical music, camping, and at least one pun a day. He was born in Austin , Texas , November 22, 1927 to Gladys Delilah ( Dawson ) and Othniel Robert Chambers I. Niel grew up in Corvallis , Oregon , entering first grade at age 3 as part of a special program established for children of Oregon State College professors. Early on, Niel held numerous jobs, including being a fire lookout for 5 summers in the Cascade forest. He served in the military at the end of WW II in 1946 in the occupation of Vienna and in the Korean War. He earned a BA in Sociology in 1956 at the University of Oregon , an MS in Sociology in 1963 and a second MS in Counseling in 1968. Soon after his marriage to Ardith Jamie Jones in 1955, he began his career in the Department of Corrections, then settled in Keizer , Oregon and they raised four children. Niel retired in 1987 as Executive Assistant to the Oregon State Director of Corrections, and also served as the Corrections Division lobbyist to the Oregon State legislature. In the year before retirement he and Ardith visited Munich and Vienna . After retirement, they sold their Keizer home, bought a great pickup and a 29 ft fifth-wheel trailer and toured the US, mainly below the Mason-Dixon Line, for 2 œ years. They settled in Las Cruces , New Mexico in 1991, when they joined the Unitarian Universalist Church at 2000 South Solano Ave. Niel is survived by Ardith, his wife of 55 years, children Kathryn (Kadri Ozyurt), Kalyani (Stephen Davison), Kerry (Jill Morgenthaler), Karlin (Vickie Rogers); grandchildren Onur Ozyurt, Atilla Ozyurt, Jesse Davison, Kirby Davison (Lauren), Tyler Davison (Amy), Megan Davison, Neal Chambers, Jamie Chambers, Joleen Braasch; and great-grandchildren Joey Elston and Emily Davison. The Reverend Nancy Anderson will lead the memorial service on June 30 at the Good Samaritan Retirement Village, with a reception to follow. Niel's wish was to be cremated, as were his father and mother, and his ashes scattered in the Pacific Ocean. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kids Don't Smoke National Campaign or to the Las Cruces Unitarian Universalist Church. Niel's final care is entrusted to the La Paz-Graham's Funeral Home. To send condolences go to www. lapaz-grahams.com Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.