Borden L. Nanney

Borden was born in the Ozark plains of southern Missouri to James and Verna (Blankenship) Nanney. He moved with his family to Morton in 1951. He worked for Reg Lester in his service station during high school and learned his life-long ethic of hard work from Reg.

After graduation from Morton High School in 1956, he joined the Washington State Highway Department and learned engineering through experience. He worked on crews pioneering the highways from the Astoria Bridge to Naselle, from Raymond to Tokeland, and from Morton to Mossyrock during the construction of Mossyrock Dam.

In 1957, Borden married Lynda Compton in Morton. They had two children, Ron and Lori, and she survives him in Morton.

In 1978, Borden joined his two brothers-in-law to form a partnership to buy a Christmas tree business begun by Lynda’s father, Ellis Compton. After Borden’s retirement from engineering in 1983, the brothers devoted their time into making Tilton Valley Trees one of the premier Christmas tree operations in the state.

Borden became President of the Northwest Christmas Tree Association in 1986, followed in 1991 by presidency of the National Christmas Tree Association. In this role he made many contacts around the globe, including twice visiting the White House to present the Blue Room Christmas tree to First Lady Barbara Bush. In 1992, he met President George Bush ‘41’ after the presentation.

At home, Borden was instrumental in forming the Morton Hospital Foundation and was its first president. He spear-headed successful bond campaigns for the new Morton hospital, and to do major remodeling at Morton schools.

On Nov. 1, 1998, he was stricken with encephalitis and his cognitive life ended. After home care, he lived at Liberty Country Place in Centralia and later at Morton Manor in Morton, where he passed away, after nearly 15 years of custodial care.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Lynda; his daughter, Lori (John) Schneider of Hayden, Idaho; and his son, Ron (Victoria) of Naselle, Wash., grandson, Danny Schneider (Bethany); granddaughters, Jill (Josh) and Emily Schneider of Idaho; brother, Robert, who lives in Utah.

Borden was preceded in death by a brother, James, and two sisters, Ann and Bernice.

A celebration of life will be held in Morton at the Lyle Building at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 18, followed by his favorite spaghetti dinner.

Remembrances may be sent to the Morton Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 1132, Morton, WA, 98356.