Eugene Chormicle

Eugene Chormicle was born in Oklahoma on Dec.15, 1936 on a train to California, to his parents Oscar and Nellie Chormicle.

Gene was raised in Coquille, Oregon and graduated from Coquille High School in 1955. He joined the Army on Jan. 26, 1955. While on leave in California in 1957 he met the love of his life, Laura Anderson, at a skating rink. They were married when he was discharged later that year, and celebrated their 67th year of marriage, just this year.

Gene and Laura Chormicle started their life together in Los Angeles, where Gene worked for Crown Zellerback preforming maintenance on corrugating equipment in a cardboard factory. They lived there for over 25 years and had three children. Their son Rocky died as an infant.  Gene then transferred to a new plant in Newark, California where he resumed his maintenance career until his retirement in 1995.

In 1986 Gene bought the “Old Palmer Place” in Myrtle Point, while still living California. He made many trips north to check on his ranch and make improvements. When he did make the move, he spent his free time taking care of his sheep, goats, cows and even his two horses. But what he thoroughly enjoyed was being out in the shop or in the big barn working on his various projects with country music blaring in the background.

Gene was an avid outdoorsman and spent time fishing the banks of the Coquille river and crabbing on his boat in Charleston. His favorite pastimes were hunting and shooting his guns. He was a great gun enthusiast, even reloading his own ammunition, and had quite a collection of guns, both old and new.

Gene was an avid John Wayne fan with an extensive collection of his books and movies that he watched over and over again and never grew tired of. He even made his own personal message on his answering machine, using his best John Wayne impersonating voice.

He was die-hard biker in his time and was very proud of the Harley Davidsons he owned and rode over the years. He was a member of the California Condors motorcycle club and enjoyed going on runs with his fellow members. After moving to Oregon he continued going on rides with fellow bikers he befriended.

Gene was very proud of his great nieces and nephews. He spent a lot of time at their 4-H/ FFA contests, school functions, sporting events and what ever else they were participating in.

He had been an active member of the Coquille Eagles, The Coquille Valley Elks, and The New Horizon Church of God in Coquille.

Gene is survived by his wife Laura Chormicle, daughter Deby Crawford, grandson Jeff Crawford and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his niece Patti (and Florencio) Torres who were like children to him, his nephews Raymond (and Laurie) Dunham, Stanley Jr. (and Maryellen) Chormicle, his great nephews Joe Torres and Jason Baker, and grand nieces Lupe Hobgood and Jamie Baker.

He was proceeded in death by his sons, Rocky and Shane, his parents Oscar and Nellie Chormicle, brothers, Stanley and Carl Chormicle, sisters, Nellie Watson, Dorothy Dunham, Evelyn Brown and Vonnie Thompson. As well as his special friend Floyd Loomis, who was just like a brother to him.

There will be no formal funeral service, at his request. He will be cremated, according to his wishes, with his remains scattered near the ranch that he loved.

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