Amy Lynn Pelton

July 25, 1986 – August 2, 2025

Amy Lynn Pelton, age 39, passed away at her home in Salem, Oregon, on August 2, 2025.

Amy was born in the early morning hours of July 25, 1986, to her parents, Sharon Pyle and Michael Pelton in Dade County, Florida. The family lived in Homestead, Florida until Amy was 2 and moved around the country as Michael was an active-duty member of the United States Coast Guard. Amy lived in Virginia, Ohio, and finally settled with her mother in California. Early on Amy had a love for animals. She often told acquaintances that she loved animals more than people.

Amy attended Herbert Hoover High School in Glendale, California. Amy excelled academically and was known to be kindhearted. She tutored younger students in her neighborhood and was active in social clubs in school. Amy graduated high school in 2004 as one of the top students in her class. Amy attended the University of California San Diego in La Jolla, California, graduating in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Physiology and Neuroscience.

Amy worked as a pet sitter during and after college. Later, she became a veterinary assistant at the Tarzana Pet Clinic in Tarzana, California. As she gained experience, her love for veterinary medicine solidified. Amy applied and was accepted to the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Amy loved her time at veterinary school and graduated in 2014. The coursework was challenging, but Amy thrived under pressure. Amy also made lifelong friends.

Amy’s first job was as a small animal, general practice veterinarian at Village Veterinary Clinic in Lompoc, California. Lompoc was also the place where she met her husband, Jaison, in 2017. They got engaged in 2018 and married in 2020. Amy and Jaison moved to Oregon after getting married and eventually settled in Salem. Amy worked primarily as a relief veterinarian in the Willamette Valley including clinics in Portland, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Dallas, Lincoln City, and Woodburn. In 2024, Amy started her own business with the founding of Pelton Veterinary Care, LLC. She provided in-home euthanasia through her mobile veterinary practice.

Amy loved the Willamette Valley and the rain that helped her backyard vegetable garden grow. She enjoyed gardening in the Spring and Summer and quilting in the Fall and Winter.

Amy is survived by her husband, Jaison James, her mother Sharon Versweyveld, her father Michael Pelton, her stepparents Matthew Versweyveld and Carlyn Pelton, her step-grandparents Judith and Denis Versweyveld, her half-brothers Benjamin Pelton and Nicholas Pelton, and her pets Eddie, Frannie, Sheldon, Scout, and Morty.

In lieu of flowers, we invite contributions to honor Amy’s legacy of providing veterinary care for pets of families experiencing economic hardship. Dr. Lilian Wong, DVM, M.S., clinical skills instructor at Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University, a friend and colleague of Amy, is collecting money to make Amy’s dream a reality. Please consider contributing through Venmo, @lilianwong.