More detail on this person: John Albert Betz,
74, of Hermiston died on Sunday, July 13, 2014.
Born June 19, 1940 in Ellensburg, Washington to
Ernest A. & Edna J. Betz, their first born son.
John spent his childhood in Sunnyside,
Washington. At the start of John's 7th grade year,
the family moved to Quincy, Washington where
John graduated from high school in 1958. He went
on to college at Eastern Washington University in
Cheney, Washington, graduating in 1964.
With a ROTC obligation, he enlisted in the Army
and made his dream of flying come true by
becoming a helicopter pilot. After a tour in
Vietnam, he became an instructor pilot and
finished out his tour at Fort Worth in 1969. He
then returned home to the Northwest and began
work in the potato farming business.
In 1978, John moved to Hermiston where he worked
with his brother Richard in an onion venture. He
also had two sons, Jasen & Justin, born in 1979
and 1981. Around that same time, John founded
Columbia Sun, a potato processing venture he
created with his father Ernie.
John was a devoted and loving Father. He enjoyed
hunting, fishing, golfing and building things.
Some of his greatest passions were furniture
making and woodworking. He was a fine craftsman
and an accomplished story teller amongst
numerous friends and family. John was a loyal
friend to many and always quick to help when
anyone was in need.
He also enjoyed serving the youth of the Hermiston
community through coaching Babe Ruth baseball
and serving as Chairman of the Hermiston School
Board.
John is survived by his sister Kathryn Niessner of
Royal City, WA; brother Richard Betz of Hermiston;
son Jasen Betz of Huson, MT; and son Justin Betz
of Phoenix, AZ.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be
made to the Vange John Memorial Hospice.
645 W. Orchard Ave. Hermiston.
Celebration of life will be held at Bennett
Botanical Gardens (32632 E Punkin Center Road)
in Hermiston on Friday, July 18 at 6:30 pm.
Please sign the condolence book at
burnsmortuaryhermiston.com Burns Mortuary of
Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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