Timber Valley Spotlight
This will spotlight individuals here in the park. We will learn more about the person, highlights of their life and how they came to be in Timber Valley. Do you know
someone whose story should be spotlighted? Add your suggestions to Comments.
By Fred Prout
Something about this time of year. Holidays. Birthdays. Year ending. Year beginning. I guess it’s just a good time to take stock of your life. Stop and think about it. Where are you going? Where have you been? Have you invested your gifts? Have you squandered them? We all started life with pretty much a blank slate. What we did from there is pretty much who and what we are now . Has our life had meaning? Was it successful? How to know.
There are many different ways to determine whether you have lived a successful life. Some people use the accumulation of wealth as a measurement. Cars, houses, bling. What they call the accoutrements. Others use the accomplishments of their children. Or their own works. Their place in the world. Their ranking. We’ve all talked to people who did “blah blah blah.””And then I yakkety yakkety yak yak.” Letting us know.
A couple of years ago I had a moment of absolute clarity. I have lived a very successful life. Tell you how I figured it out.
When you lose a spouse your life changes very significantly. The we is now a me ,and how the hell do I manage to get through this day. The silence is deafening.There is a veil of darkness hanging just out of reach. Everything and everybody is a reminder of what was. And no longer is. Pull the blanket over your head and stay in bed. The pain can’t get to you. The darkness is seductive. Welcoming. No reason to get up and face the day. Unless…
You have a dog. A four legged embodiment of unconditional love.
Many of you knew Kelly. I know, all dogs are special. But you who knew her will understand. Kelly was special. I won’t bore you with the details of how and why she was special. Frankly, I really don’t think I can find the words to explain it. She just kept the sharp edges of life from drawing blood.
And then she was gone. Just like that. Had to do it. The darkness that was held at bay was doing a victory dance. Blanket at the ready. Darkness circling like vultures.And threatening to claim another victim. This is when IT happened. The moment of clarity I mentioned.
See, I was able to understand that the success of a life is determined by the people you have been able to include in it. I’ll repeat this in a moment.
I opened my door one day to find my sweetheart Willie, Tonya and June carrying a little cactus in a mug. It has a picture of Kelly and it said “ YOU WERE MY FAVORITE HELLO AND MY HARDEST GOODBYE .” I weep with gratitude every time I look at it. Just as I am weeping now writing about it. A couple of years later. That same day my friend Tammy brought me a stuffed animal that looks just like Kelly.I treasure it and always will.I am truly one lucky soul. They did something truly special. They showed me how fortunate I was. My daughter has done that numerous times also.
So, the way I see it, the measure of a life is not the cars you drive. The houses you buy or any of a hundred ways we think matters.What really counts are the people in your orbit. The people who choose you. The people who let you know that you matter. The success of a life is determined by the people you have been able to include in it.
My life has been a success, despite many slips, because of the people who have been included in it. I’ve mentioned but a few of the wonderful people I have been blessed with. There are countless more. I hope you know who you are. Thank You. You all mean more to me than I can ever express.
Fred
Submitted by Ruby Bonham
Timber Valley is saddened by the passing of Barbara (BJ) Barry of Lot 23 on October 19, 2025.
BJ was born July 3, 1939. She and Larry Barry were married May 11, 1957. They were married for 68 years. They came into Timber Valley in 2006. They had a lot until 2018 when they built a home near Oak Hills Golf Course in Sutherlin, Oregon. They got on the Active Wait List again in 2018 and again became lease holders in 2022. Although they had a lot here they continued to live in their home near the golf course. They were very involved in the gaming in the clubhouse. BJ was a caring, cheerful person who many remember fondly.
BJ is survived by her husband Larry, a daughter, Tamara Remlinger of Eugene, Oregon and son, Brett Barry of Maryland. Larry says BJ was a loving and kind woman of faith who was never angry. She is greatly missed. Larry will continue to live in their home near the golf course.
Submitted by Ruby Bonham
Timber Valley is saddened at the passing of Phyllis Fitch of Lot 126 on October 11, 2025.
Phyllis was born February 26, 1932. She had known Norman Fitch in high school but both married other spouses. Phyllis had three sons, Dennis, David and Doug Mohler. Phyllis had worked for the Lockman Foundation as a bible proofreader and also as a teller for Bank of America. Many years later Phyllis and Norman reunited and were married July 7, 1990. Norman was a long time minister. He and his deceased wife had traveled in a motorhome doing mission work. When Phyllis and Norman married they continued that mission work. They got their lot in Timber Valley March 29, 2006. They continued their ministry and Norman did Memorial services for park members. Phyllis was an accomplished pianist.
Phyllis and Norman were married 35 years. They had a loving and caring relationship and were seldom apart. They moved to a facility in Roseburg in March but after a short time returned to Timber Valley. They much preferred to have private time here at home. Phyllis is survived by her husband Norman, her three sons and two step daughters, Roxie and Jackie. Norman will remain here in the park close to his daughter Roxie. Phyllis is remembered as a dear sweet woman who was much loved by her husband.
It was reported at yesterday’s Board Agenda Workshop that there may be some unauthorized camping across the creek.
Law enforcement is aware and Randy has set up trail cams to keep an eye on our property in that area.
This is a good time to give your storage area rig doors and locks a quick check to help keep our park safe and secure for everyone.
Submitted by Ruby Bonham
Timber Valley is saddened at the loss of Roy “Skip” Webber of Lot 185 on September 29, 2025.
Skip was born November 3, 1944. He said he was from all over as his father preferred a nomadic lifestyle. He met his wife, Joanne, when they worked together. They were married in 1985 and would have been married 40 years in December. They hit the road after retirement in 2011. Their first trip took them to Livingston, Texas where they became SKP members. They visited a number of SKP parks. While working for four years as Park Hosts at Gold Beach, they started visiting Timber Valley and got on the Waiting List. They got their lot in 2019 and decided to leave the road. They were involved with the Lot Improvement Committee and with the Library until Skip’s health issues slowed their participation.
Skip is survived by his wife, Joanne, a daughter, Sandy, of Phoenix, AZ and a son, Michael, of Southern California. Joanne will be remaining in the park.
Submitted by Rachael Smithey
Last Saturday Timber Valley members danced the night away at the Snowbird Send-Off Prom Night. A highlight of the evening was the crowning of Prom King and Queen Dick and Rockey! Congratulations to both for their well-deserved royal titles!
Safe travels to all our snowbirds as they head out for the winter. We’ll be ready to roll out the red carpet when you return!
Thanks to Chris Beith for organizing this fun event!
By Fred Prout
Somewhere around my tenth year, I had a brilliant idea. If I wore eyeglasses the gangsters in school would stop beating the crap out of me. It never occurred to me that my being a sickly kid with a smart mouth might have somehow had something to do with it. All I knew was it was somehow wrong to beat up on any kid wearing glasses. Especially me. So glasses I needed and glasses I got. Continue reading
by Sharon Elliott #36
I believe that when you see a volunteer go the extra mile, that person needs to be recognized for their service.
The green space behind my lot had a bad winter. The wind emptied the pine trees of rotted
limbs and cones. (If a pine cone is full of seeds, my trees shed a forest of them.) I used to be able to rake the hill and keep it ready for mowing but all I can do now is look at it and weep.
One day, there was a man picking up the sticks, than collected several large containers of
debris, off the steep hill . He raked the bank and now when I look out my window all is beautiful.
Tom Seliskar Space 43, thank you so much.
Sharon Elliott #36
IFPL III
