June Myers

June Elizabeth Hicks was born November 25th, 1921 in Hood River, Or. Her early childhood was spent in northern Washington while her father logged trees and grew and tended wheat fields to support 6 children a wife and both their parents. As a teenager she lived in Toppenish, Washington where in school she was an artist. She drew intricate drawings with pencils that were detailed. While attending high school she met and married Harvey Myers June 7, 1938 after he graduated. During the depression they lived in a chicken coop. They moved to Portland in the early 40's where he worked as a welder and a musician. She worked in the shipyards as a welder and had two sons Sonny and Dwain Myers. During the late 40's and after the war, she raised her two sons while being a muse, playing guitar and a seamstress for the band her husband played in. She shortened sleeves and hemmed pants for band members locally and bands coming through Portland often spent time at their house where she could fix and mend their clothing problems, which she became renowned for. She was a favorite to be around by many friends and family, who she loved in return. After the birth of their daughter Linda, she started working as an industrial seamstress in Portland, Oregon. She made sleeping bags, tents and trucking, boating and awning tarps for Ames Harris Neville for 15 years. She went to work at Dennis Uniform sewing all types of uniforms and eventually under garments for the nuclear power industry. She also enjoyed sewing clothes for herself and her family, knitting and crocheting as well. She loved music, and taught all of her children their first songs and chords on the guitar. During the 50's and 60's fishing became a way to help the family's food bill. These were also family outings into nature. Trekking along local rivers and streams kept everyone busy and contributing to the family's food bank. She was an expert at this and she started canning and putting food up in a freezer. She became an avid fisherwoman, catching fish out of a run off stream with a rusty hook and orange yarn on it, put it on the end of her line, tossed it in and pulled a 17 inch Dolly Vardon out!! She could out fish anyone and did most of the time. She left many a man scratching his head about that! However, she was very humble. No one knew what they were up against until they came back empty handed while she had caught huge salmon. When she and her husband retired in 1976 doing some travelling, they left Portland for a 16 acre ranch in Rainier, Oregon. She grew berries, tended to orchard trees, an enormous vegetable garden, and flower beds. She was an amazing cook. She canned fruit and vegetables, made jams, and made the best dill pickles ever well into her 70's. Her canned smoked salmon was like candy that melted in your mouth. She ran the ranch and stock on it. She loved her horse, Misty and could throw a bale of hay just as far and high as any man twice her size. She was a loving and devoted grandmother, who loved getting visits from her grandchildren. Harvey and June were married for 63 years; they traveled in everything from Model T's as children, to campers and motor homes for many years as adults. They travelled from Alaska, to the tip of Brownsville, Texas to Southern California, to Colorado and Kansas, Missouri where they of course loved Branson and everywhere in between. Harvey passed away in 2001 and she stayed at the ranch for another 3 years then moved into an assisted living facility in Troutdale. She made many new friends, and met her new love, Mr. Larry Hines. They courted for 1 year then decided to join together in a warm and loving relationship. They shared 7 glorious years in love and lots of laughter where she was doted on and treated like a princess for the remainder of her life. She was so very loved by her family and cherished by everyone who knew her.