Gerald Ray Hosler Sr.

Gerald Ray Hosler was born on October 28, 1930 in Smith Center, Kansas to Anna Jane Hughes and Harvey Malon Hosler. He was the youngest of six children, Clois, Leonard, Leona, Delbert, and Sam (Floyd). As a very small boy, his parents moved their family to Battleground, Washington where he lived during his younger years. Gerald worked several jobs throughout his life. Some of them were milking cows, working in the woods as a tree climber, a truck driver, and a construction worker, but he spent the majority of his life as a drywall sheet rocker. He was very proud of his brocade ceilings which sometimes sparkled! On October 30, 1959, Gerald married Beverly LaDene Holten. They moved to Carver, Oregon and raised five children: Linda, Kristy (Darrel), Cindy (Wade), Becky, and Chip (Gerald II) (Danese). Gerald had eleven grandchildren: Vanessa, Daisy, Shawna, Jessy, Kibbee, Josh, Kinjie, Miranda, Syngen, Kessley, Gerald III. Nine great grandchildren: Tyler, Kylie, Liam, Makeara, Connor, Nomee, Brycen, Siri, and Helen Luise. Two great-great grandchildren: Grayson and Kilua Jin (KJ) and many foster children. Gerald loved to tell everyone that would listen stories about his life growing up. One of the stories he told his children many times was about how he had to walk miles to school through the snow; truth be told they lived close to the school so he didn’t have far to walk at all! He had never ending hunting stories, with cutting and wrapping parties after each successful hunt!! Gerald’s enjoyments in life were his family and friends, hunting, fishing (which he never ate), playing solitaire and pinochle with family. His grandkids were always eager to learn a new card game with Gramps, they would play one hand of 52 card pick up; one hand was all it took to not ever want to play that game again! He loved his “Cadillac” a.k.a the lawnmower. If the grass had grown a quarter of an inch he was out there mowing it. We know mowing the lawn, checking the mail, and his daily phone calls to friends and family were the highlights of his day!! He also liked to travel and go camping. When their kids were younger, he and LaDene would load everyone into the camper or the motorhome for a two-week vacation at the end of every summer. They traveled to a different state each year. Among the many places they visited were South Dakota, North Dakota, New Mexico, Arizona and Disneyland, which is where Becky was accidentally left by herself (just briefly though)! While visiting New Mexico, Becky wanted to go to Texas, so he pulled into a McDonald’s across the border for breakfast and said, “Now you have been to Texas.” That was the only place they visited in Texas that year! He could make friends anywhere. When at the campgrounds, LaDene would ask, “Where is your dad?” They never had to look too far for him because he was just a few campsites away making new friends. Last year, he mentioned plans that he made with Ladene to attend the Grand Ole Opry, but unfortunately, the two of them were never able to make that trip happen. His family, however came up with a plan to celebrate his 93rd birthday in Nashville at the Grand Ole Opry; but in September 2023, he found out he had bladder cancer, so the trip was postponed. With surgery and treatments, he beat his bladder cancer and was cancer free! The trip was rescheduled for May of this year, and much of his family made the trek to Nashville to celebrate him. At the Grand Ole Opry there was an amazing shout out package wishing him a Happy 93rd Birthday, and announcing the even better news of his beating cancer. The spotlight was on him and he was on the big screen for the entire Opry House to see! Vince Gill was one of the performers there that night and dedicated his first song to him. He was in seventh heaven as he was leaving! People were wishing him happy birthday and congratulating him, and his smile lit up the Opry House!! It was a wonderful trip, many great memories were made, and four generations of family were there to help him celebrate. Upon returning home from Nashville, he received devastating news. New cancer was discovered throughout his body, and this time it was terminal. When he received the news he put on a brave face, kept his keen wit, and fought courageously until the end. On the morning of July 6, 2024 he passed away at his home in Carver, Oregon with loved ones nearby. A great man who lived a hard working, honest life has left our presence. Gerald will be missed dearly by all whose lives he touched.

Gerald Ray Hosler Sr.

October 28, 1930 - July 6, 2024