Orvil Lee Blackledge

Orvil L Blackledge, 87, peacefully went to be with the Lord on April 27, 2017 at home surrounded by his family, after a long battle with COPD. Orvil was born July 18, 1929, in Prairie Grove, Arkansas to John T and Gertie (Fidler) Blackledge. The family moved to Selah in 1944. He started working at Matson Fruit at age 16.

Orvil married the love of his life Carmen B (McCoy) Blackledge September 25, 1949 in Selah, WA; where they raised 5 children. He worked many years for Ross Packing Company in Selah. They moved to Longview, WA after Dad got a job in the plywood mill, eventually moving back to work at Boise Cascade mill in Yakima. After an early retirement Dad and Mom enjoyed traveling to Arizona in the winter and the Oregon Coast whenever they could in their motor home. Before retirement Dad enjoyed farming more than anything. He took great pride in his 65 head of Herford and his custom haying business. His most proud accomplishment he talked about a lot was raising 5 kids that he could take anywhere and be proud of. His family always came first.

After traveling for a while Dad and Mom began managing mobile home parks until their early 80’s. The last was Broadmore Mobile Park in Yakima. Dad made many friends over the years and was very generous. He was always ready to share anything he had or help out family, friends or neighbors anytime.

Surviving family includes his loving wife of 67 years, Carmen; daughters: Terrie (Dennis) Naylor of Gleed, WA, Cheryl (Jay) Harris of Selah, WA, Jannell (Ken) Schiffelbein of Selah, WA; sons: Dale Blackledge of Selah, WA, Scott (Peggy) Blackledge of Selah, WA; 13 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren; sisters: Colleen Copeland of Springfield, MO, Dovie Heth of Lusk, WY; and Sarah Lansidel of Hayward, CA; brother: Richard Blackledge of Lusk, WY, and many nieces and nephews. Orvil is preceded in death by his parents Gertie and John Blackledge; and four brothers: Jethro, James, Johnnie, Alva Blackledge and sister Thelma Ventura; and a grandson, Jeff Sherman.

The family would like to thank VM Memorial Hospice staff for the great care and especially Chaplin Rigoberto Dominguez for all the prayers and support.

Visitation will be Wednesday, May 3, 2017 from 4-8 pm at Langevin El Paraiso Funeral Home (1010 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima). A celebration of Life will be held Thursday, May 4, 2017 at 11 am also at the funeral home. Concluding services will follow at West Hills Memorial Park. To share a memory of Orvil visit www.lepfuneralhome.com.