Emerson Leroy Eby

EMERSON LEROY EBY
Kennewick, Wash.
Sept. 4, 1917
to Sept. 14, 2004
Longtime Kennewick wheat farmer Emerson Eby passed away on September 14, 2004.
He was 87 years of age. Emerson was born in Sunnyside, Washington, on September 4, 1917, to Martha Eby (Anding) and Enoch Roy Eby.
The Eby family were pioneers in Sunnyside; later the family moved to Pasco where they farmed strawberries and watermelons.
Emerson worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad and on March 22, 1942, he married Dorothy Mills in Kennewick. He then served in the U.S. Navy through the balance of World War II.
Emerson and Dorothy had four children: sons, Mike Eby, Frederick Eby and Kathy, and Ralph Eby, all of Kennewick, and daughter Molly Williams and Chuck of Port Orchard.
When Emerson returned from the Navy, he began his career farming the Cotswold Wheat Ranch with his brother-in-law, James Mills.
In 1967, he was voted Farmer of the Year by the Farm Journal Magazine. Emerson was known for his hard work ethic, excellent skills and advanced ideas in wheat farming.
He was an active member of the Kennewick First Lutheran Church.
He retired in 1972 and left farming to his sons, Frederick and Ralph Eby.
Emerson and Dorothy divorced.
Emerson is survived by his wife of 27 years, Loyette Baker of Dubuque, Iowa. They were married on May 25, 1978. They live in Mesa, Arizona.
Each spring they left Mesa to travel until the fall. It was during this time they made their annual trips to see their extended families.
They fully enjoyed their motor home style of life traveling with friends for many years. If something became broken that his friends had, he was always there to fix it for them. Also, Emerson enjoyed his retirement hobbies of working with stained glass, golf, travel and cruises.
Emerson was preceded in death by his parents and his three sisters, Lois Carr, Eleanor and Lela Eby, and by great-grandson, Nathaniel Eby Lewis.
Emerson has nine grandchildren from his first marriage: Nanette Vanderford, James Eby, Mike Eby Jr., Karan Nelson; Gretchen Henke and Jake, Tyson Lewis and Ella, Marisa Eby; Shelley Beauchamp and Ryan, Allison Eby and Emily VanKley.
He has 10 great-grandchildren: Lane and Morgan Vanderford; Ryker, Jenner and Baylor Beauchamp; Sarah Eby; Easton and Cadence Henke; Courtney and Sara Nelson.
Emerson is also survived by stepdaughter, Sherry Cheney and Jim of Dubuque, Iowa; three stepgrandchildren: Jolyn Miller, Gena Reichee of Dubuque and Jamie Cheney of Dallas and three stepgreat-grandchildren: Jenna and Jason Reichee; and Wayne Miller.
A memorial Service will be held September 27, in Mesa, Arizona, at the Presbyterian Church of the Master at 11.
A celebration of his life will be held at the Eby Cotswold Wheat Ranch at a later date.
Donations may be made to Hospice in Dubuque, Iowa.