Alton Fredrick Grabhorn's Obituary
Alton Fredrick Grabhorn
September 14, 1927 ~ July 25, 2008
Alton Fredrick Grabhorn of Scappoose died July 25, 2008 in his sleep. He was 80.
Alton Fredrick Grabhorn was born September 14, 1927 in Beaverton, Oregon to Fred and Lucinda Buffum Grabhorn. He was the middle child of three boys born on the farm.
Educated in Beaverton he graduated from Beaverton High School and then served in the US military receiving an honorable discharge in 1950.
His service to the community continued with the US Post Office in Portland and then as an Oregon State Police Officer. Later in his 36-year law enforcement career he became a Multnomah County Deputy Sheriff until his retirement in 1986.
On March 1, 1952 he married Connie Curry in Portland at the Zion Lutheran Church. The couple lived in and around Beaverton raising three boys. During this time the couple built several homes, bought and sold real estate.
Alton was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Scappoose, Oregon. Among the things that he loved were his family and land. A true steward of the land he was always looking for something to fix, improve, clean up, or just tinker with. He raised Hereford cattle for 40 years on his farm taking care of them daily. Everything from fruit trees, honeybees, to timber all thrived under his watchful eye.
In 1985, he was honored with the Columbia County Soil & Water Conservation District Cooperator of the year award. He spent many years improving and growing timber stands for future generations.
Alton is survived by his wife of 56 years Connie Grabhorn. His children; Bruce Grabhorn and wife Robin, Bart Grabhorn and wife Janet, and Spencer Grabhorn all of Scappoose, Oregon. His brothers; Howard Grabhorn of Beaverton, Oregon and Burton Grabhorn of Damascas, Oregon, 7 grandchildren, one niece, and one nephew also survive him.
A service will be held July 31, 2008 at 2:00pm at the Columbia Funeral Home in St. Helens, Oregon. Private family interment will follow.
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