Talbot William Dredge's Obituary
Talbot William Dredge was born November 30, 1922 in Shelley, Idaho to Richard H. and Esther Marilla Heward Dredge. He passed away April 26, 2010. He had nine brothers and two sisters. He joined the Navy in 1941 after graduating from Shelley High School and served at Pearl Harbor.
Mr. Dredge was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1947 and received a scholarship to play football for George Washington University in Washington, D.C... He was offered the opportunity to attend training camp for the New York Giants but decided against it because he had made it through college football without any injury and felt that was enough. After graduation from college, Mr. Dredge wet to work for Wilson Sporting Goods Company as a sales representative until retirement 27 years later.
Tal, as he was known by family and friends, married Grace McCormick in 1949 and they were blessed with two children, Talbot, Jr. born in 1950 and Susan, born in 1951. This marriage ended in divorce and Tal married Carolyn Whitlow in February 1960. They had one son, Richard H. Dredge. Tal and Carolyn lived for a time in Idaho and Medford, and then located to the St. Helens area.
Tal loved music and played and sang everywhere he went. He sang professionally in a nightclub I Washington D.C. and volunteered his talents throughout the country. Locally he played for Meadow Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center twice a month for 14 years, Rose Valley Assisted Living, the St. Helens Senior Center, church functions and for family get-togethers. He brightened up many a road trip with his singing.
Tal was also an avid and competitive sports enthusiast. He loved most sports, but spent many years playing golf and was particularly proud of the hole-in-one he got at the St. Helens Golf Course. He walked several miles each day whether on the golf course or in his neighborhood meeting and chatting with many friends on his way. He was never afraid of work and was always looking for something to keep himself busy and never turned down an opportunity to be of service. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and sang in the choir and served in several callings. He was loved by all who knew him.
Preceding him in death were brothers David, Earl, Jesse, Clair, DeVere, Roy and Ray twins, and Doyle; sisters Louella Pherson and Ruth Hogan.
Survivors include wife of 50 years, Carolyn; brother Jay Dredge, Las Vegas, Nevada; sons Talbot Dredge Jr. wife Penny, Virginia and Richard Dredge, Azalea, Oregon; daughter Susan Mortensen husband Larry, California; and stepson Ronald Lee, Florida. His six grandchildren include Jesse Talbot Dredge and Deija Lei Tritz, California; Shawn Talbot Dredge, Virginia; Haily Dredge, Azalea, Oregon; Megan Dredge, Richland, Washington; and Brittany Dredge, Columbia City, Oregon. Three great grandchildren include Savannah and Melai Tritz and Noah Talbot Dredge, California.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the St. Helens Senior Center, PO Box 692, St. Helens, OR 97051
There will be a funeral service on Wednesday May 5, 2010 at 10:00 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in St. Helens, Oregon. Dedication of the grave and interment will be at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.
On-line condolences may be sent to the family at www.columbiafh.com . Arrangements are through Columbia Funeral Home, St. Helens, Oregon.
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