In Memoriam
Honoring alumni, faculty, staff, and friends who have recently passed.
The Honorable Darrell J. Williams ’51 passed away April 9, 2014.
Born August 31, 1921, Darrell was one of eight children. He graduated from Beaverton High School, where he played baseball and trumpet. He formed and led a dance band in the Portland area until he enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1941. Darrell went on to attend the University of Portland.
Following law school, he began his practice in the Dallas, Oregon, office of Salem Title Company before establishing a private practice. Darrell served as a justice of the peace for Polk County until 1959, when he was appointed to a newly created circuit court position for Polk and Yamhill Counties. He served as a circuit court judge for 27 years before retiring in 1986.
Darrell is survived by his wife of 71 years, Florence; two sons; a daughter; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Thomas Andrew Kennedy ’57 passed away April 19, 2014, in Portland following a stroke.
Thomas was born November 13, 1922. His family moved to La Grande, Oregon, where he graduated from high school. Thomas attended Eastern Oregon College of Education until his studies were interrupted by World War II. He went to Midshipmen’s School in New York City and served on U.S.S. LST-1016 in the Pacific. He continued his service in the Naval Reserves, retiring as a lieutenant commander in 1969.
Thomas completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of Oregon and attended law school while working for Standard Oil. He was admitted to the bar in 1957 and began his legal career in private practice before moving to the Portland City Attorney’s Office. In 1963, Thomas joined the Office of the Regional Solicitor for the U.S. Department of the Interior. He retired in 1987.
In 1961, Thomas married Dorothy Saunders, with whom he spent 53 years. They raised two children, David and Susan. The couple enjoyed traveling, visiting Europe, Africa, and South America. A parishioner and usher at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, where he served on the vestry, Thomas was also a member of the Multnomah Athletic Club and enjoyed mountaineering and hiking as a member of the Mazamas. He skied and cycled well into his 80s.
Thomas is survived by his wife, two children, and three grandchildren.
Stanley O’Donald Torgrimson ’57 passed away June 17, 2014, on his 88th birthday.
Born in 1926, Stanley served in the Marine Corp and was a proud World War II veteran. He went on to become an assistant district attorney for the City of Portland.
Stanley married Lucille Sterling on March 16, 1951. She was by his side for 48 years as they raised their two daughters. An avid sportsman, Stanley spent his vacation days hunting and fishing. He was also an animal lover, and would take in strays and nurse them to health. He loved to read, especially tales by Garrison Keillor and Patrick McManus.
Stanley is survived by his daughters, Pamela and Patricia; son-in-law Mark; grandson Marshall; and brother Keith.
Leo Charles Sherry Jr. ’64 passed away April 13, 2014, after a long illness.
Leo was born March 28, 1928. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Portland and was a longtime attorney and CPA in Portland. He was active in the Catholic Church and a variety of charitable causes.
Leo is survived by his wife of 56 years, Nancy; sons Joe and John; daughters Katy, Ann, and Jean; brother Denton; and six grandchildren.
William Barrows ’65 passed away April 7, 2014.
William was born August 28, 1927, and was a graduate of Willamette University. He spent his entire career at the Oregon Legislative Fiscal Department. After retiring, he and his wife traveled full time in their motor home for nearly 18 years before settling back in Portland 11 years ago.
William is survived by his wife of 59 years, Flora; daughter Margarett; sons Tom and Richard; and granddaughters Arika and Rachael. He was predeceased by his grandson, Matthew.
Jerry E. “Bronc” Butler ’68 passed away May 1, 2014.
Bronc was born February 22, 1924. When he was 4, his family moved to Southern California, where he encountered Hollywood. His portrait was used in a James Cagney movie to represent a young version of the star, and Bronc himself appeared in a Johnny Weissmuller Tarzan movie. The family later moved to Coquille, Oregon, where they operated a sawmill. In the summers, Bronc traveled to Wyoming to buck hay and work with his uncles on a ranch. It was during one of these adventures that he attempted to ride the one horse he had been instructed to avoid, thereby earning his nickname.
Bronc attended the University of Oregon, where he played football. He served as a nose gunner in the Pacific during World War II. While stationed with the Army Air Corps in Tucson, Arizona, he met Gloria Brena. They married August 25, 1946, in New Mexico. The couple moved to Oregon following his discharge from the service.
Bronc earned a master’s degree in education from Linfield College and began teaching in Stayton, Oregon, in 1950. In 1953 he changed careers, becoming the personnel manager for the Stayton Canning Company. As the company grew, so did his responsibilities. He retired from NORPAC Foods after 35 years as director of labor and public affairs, where labor negotiations and lobbying were his passions. Along the way he earned his law degree. He was the business representative on the Employment Board of Appeals for 18 years, and served on the boards of Associated Oregon Industries, NW Food Processors’ Association, and Oregonians for Food and Shelter. He was also a recipient of the Stayton First Citizen Award.
Bronc is survived by his wife, Gloria; children Darrel and Lisa; son-in-law Bruce; grandchildren Katie, Brandon, Kimi, Cody, and Brett; and great-grandsons Wyatt, Mason, Noah, Brody, and Lane.
Gordon B. “G.B.” Anderson Jr. ’76 passed away February 13, 2014, after a seven-year battle with multiple myeloma. He showed incredible courage and strength during his ordeal.
G.B. was born April 25, 1942. He attended Bellevue High School in Washington, where he became the first-chair clarinetist and had his own Dixieland band. G.B. went on to play jazz clarinet, which became a beloved hobby. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University in 1965.
G.B. specialized in criminal defense and personal injury law, practicing in the greater Seattle area for 35 years. He had a passion for American history and he left his library as his legacy.
G.B. is survived by his wife, Kathleen; daughters Betsy and Bonnie; brothers Stephen, David, Stuart, and Dick; sisters-in-law Patricia, Laurie, Connie, and Judy; nieces Christina and Lisa; nephews Bowen, Blake, Cameron, Jeff, and Doug; and many loving cousins. You may honor G.B. by donating to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.
William Richard “Dick” Cooley ’76 passed away February 22, 2014, from complications during heart surgery.
Dick was born February 4, 1948. He attended Portland’s North Powellhurst Grade School, Cherry Park Elementary School, and David Douglas High School, where he was active in sports and the arts and was student body president. Dick attended Harvard University from 1966 to 1968, returning home to complete his bachelor’s degree at the University of Oregon. He earned his JD while spending time camping, waterskiing, hiking, and generally having fun with a close-knit group of friends.
As a young man, Dick worked for Cooley Construction, his father’s homebuilding business, which inspired a lifelong career in real estate development. He left the family business for a number of years to work for United Homes and Pacific Development before returning to run his family’s real estate investment company. Dick served on the Portland Homebuilders Board and the Multnomah County Planning Commission. He also chaired the Portland Planning Commission and the Portland Streetcar Board.
Because of his strong leadership skills and his love for the area where he grew up, Dick was asked to chair committees for the siting of the city’s Eastside Community Center and to lead the Gateway Urban Renewal Area Program Advisory Committee.
Dick is survived by his wife, Leslie Anne Howell; children Alexander and Sarah; son-in-law Alan; siblings Patricia, Janet, and Douglas; brothers-in-law Michael and Jim; sister-in-law Mel; and his beloved dog, Sasha.
