Lem E. Wilson, 87

Ontario, Oregon: LEM EDWARD WILSON, 87 of Nyssa, Oregon formerly of Grangeville passed away Tuesday, January 3, 2006 in an Ontario, Oregon hospital.

Lem was born the seventh of twelve children in the family home near Nyssa, Oregon on September 22, 1918. His parents, Lemen Elijah and Nancy Isabelle Wilson, were children of pioneers who had moved west in covered wagons. Lem grew up working on his father’s farm and herding sheep at an early age. After graduating from high school in Nyssa he hitch hiked to Riggins, Idaho where he got a job herding sheep for Walter Brothers for $30 a month.
Lem married Doris Hite on September 5, 1939. In the 1940’s Lem farmed his own ground plus rented farmland and row cropped. He also had a potato harvesting business. During harvest season he was known to sleep as little as 2 hours a night. In those days in the Treasure Valley of Malheur County he was known as the “Potato King”. In 1951 he realized his life long dream and bought a sheep ranch on the Snake River in Hells Canyon at Pittsburg Landing. By the 1970’s he was running 6000 head of sheep. Lem was an accomplished “bush pilot” able to take off and land on the short, narrow and steep ridges of Hells Canyon. Sadly the ranch was taken from him by the United States Forest Service through the law of eminent domain. The ranch now makes up a large part of the Hells Canyon Recreation Area. Lem had a god given gift for handling livestock and animals just seemed to take to him. Over the years he had many farms, ranches, feedlots, sheep, cattle, horses, and mules.
Lem was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Shriners and had a passion for helping handicapped children. He was a very compassionate and generous man held in high esteem by all whom new him. He was loved dearly by all his family and will be missed by all who had the opportunity and privilege of knowing him.
Lem is survived by his wife, Doris, two sons Ray and Mick, grandchildren, great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held at the Bethany Presbyterian Church, 1712 West Idaho Avenue, Ontario, Oregon, Friday, January 13, 2006 at 11:00 AM. Burial services will be Saturday, January 14, 2006 at the Prairie View Cemetery, Grangeville, Idaho, at 1:00PM. Memorials can be made to the Lance Armstrong Cancer Fund at Blackmer Funeral Home, 305 No. Mill St., Grangeville, Idaho 83530. Send condolences to the family at blackmerfuneralhome.com