558 N. Main St., Prineville, OR 97754 | (541) 447-6205
Lawrence “Babe” Bannon died Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 in Bend.
He was born Jan. 11, 1919 in Lomond, Alberta, Canada to Edward Lawrence and Marie (Dahl) Bannon.
The family moved back to Minnesota when he was about six years old and he lived and attended school in the Williams, Minn. area, where he played hockey and graduated in 1937.
After graduation, he traveled west and spent time in Oregon, working.
When World War II broke out, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served his country proudly from 1942 to 1945 in the Pacific Theater. He was a member of the 650th Topographic Engineers and later the Army Air Corp Resupply Unit.
After his discharge, he worked in the gold mines in South Dakota and eventually returned to Minnesota where he met the love of his life, Agnes Margaret Umhauer. They were married Sept. 15, 1949 in Baudette, Minn. They left Minnesota shortly thereafter and eventually found themselves in Prineville, where Babe was employed for many years with Pine Products Lumber and Ochoco Lumber Company as a lumber grader until his retirement.
He had a zest for life that all who knew him can attest to. Honorable, kind, loving, giving and funny are just a few of the words that come to mind in describing him.
He was a member of the VFW,Eagles Lodge, and the Presbyterian Church. Until it became too difficult, he enjoyed woodworking, cutting and sanding the wood while Agnes painted it. He also loved to travel and was able to see many places in his lifetime – including his ancestral home in Ireland. He difinitely was one of a kind.
Survivors include daughters, Cindy Iverson (Laine) of Pendlton, Ore., Debbie Bannon (Randy Wright) of Monmouth, Ore.; sons, Tim Bannon (Joan), and Lance Bannon (Amy) of Prineville; grandchildren, Travis Hart, Brian Bannon, Morgan Koroush, Levi Kouroush, Baylee Bannon, and Brent Bannon; great-grandchild, Jaxon Hart; sister, Lillian Humeniuk of Bemidji, Minn; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Hovde of Baudette, Minn., Charlotte Birkedahl of Tacoma, Wash., Grace Bannon of Prineville; brothers-in-law, John Umhauer of Bend, and Stan Birkedahl of Tacoma, Wash.; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Agnes Margaret, parents and brothers, Malvern, Otis, Eldon, and Dale.
Services will be held Saturday, Jan 14, 2012 at 11 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church, 1771 NW Madras Hwy. in Prineville.
