John Wilbur Lorenz

WAXHAW, NORTH CAROLINA - John Wilbur Lorenz passed away October 20, 2005 in Monroe, North Carolina from complications following a fall and broken hip. He was born on May 16, 1916 in Clark, South Dakota to Jasper Valentine and Nellie (Muncy) Lorenz. His parents, three brothers and two sisters moved to Hillsboro, Ore. in the early 1930's. He worked during the 1930s for Einer and Julia Berggren on their dairy farm in Hillsboro. John married Mildred Bose in Hillsboro, in 1940. They were married for three years and had a son, John Larry. He was married to Jewell Gowan in Mendocino, Calif. They were married from 1949 to 1969 and had two daughters, Judith Jean and Jewell Ann. In 1941 he enlisted in the Navy Seabees and served in the Phillippine and Fiji Islands for three years. After the World War II John became a journeyman electrician. He joined the IBEW Local 280 (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) in 1950, and was a 55 year member. He worked for Five Star Electric in McMinnville, Ore. from 1949 to 1952. In May of 1952 he decided to follow construction and spent the next few months working in the building of the Alcoa Aluminum Plant in Wenatchee, Wash. When his daughter Judy was born, he returned to Oregon and took a `temporary job' with Vibbert Electric in Salem, Oregon, where he remained for 31 years until his retirement in 1981. John married Lorraine Kelley in 1972. They made their home in Dallas, Ore. until moving to Waxhaw, North Carolina a year and a half ago. They were active in their church and took several working mission trips out of the country. John was an avid gardener his whole life as he enjoyed his vegetables and flowers. He was a very generous person always sharing his produce with family and friends. He also won many ribbons at the local fairs with his beautiful flowers and produce of which he was very proud. John was everyone's dream of the helpful neighbor and friend. He would always make time to help anyone in need. He was a long time volunteer at the Dallas, Oregon Food Bank. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Lorraine of Waxhaw; his son and daughter-in-law, John Larry and Linda Lorenz of Woodburn; daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Frank Vanderburg of Salem; daughter and son-in-law, Jewell Ann and Rick Dunn of Olympia, Wash.; step-son and wife, Craig and Gabriele Keeler of Amity; step-daughter and husband, Cheryl and Frank Walling of Waxhaw, North Carolina; sisters, Elsie Naylor of Forest Grove and sister, Grace Peirce and brother, Lee Lorenz both of Hillsboro. John and Lorraine together have six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. John was preceded in death by his mother, father, and two younger brothers, Ray and Cyril. John will be missed by all of his family and his many friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice. Funeral service will begin at 11:00 AM tuesday, October 25, 2005 in the Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center. Burial will be in the Dallas Cemetery. To leave an on-line condolence go to www.dallastribute.com. The Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center is handling the arrangements.