Christmas Toy Drive
Timber Valley is saddened by the passing of William (Bill) O’Hara of Lot 8 on December 1, 2025.
Bill was born August 7, 1946. He worked for Southern Pacific as an Engineer. He met Diane in 1981 and they were married in May of 1984. In the 1990’s ,after retirement, they got a travel trailer and later a motorhome. They traveled around the country.
Before coming to Timber Valley he and Diane had an Escapees lot in Livingston, Texas where they met and became friends with Marc and Joyce
Stalnaker. After about ten years Bill thought a move to Timber Valley was a
good idea. Marc agreed and they all got on the Active Waiting List at the
same time. Bill received Lot 8 on October 16, 2013. As Diane’s health
deteriorated they became less social. Diane passed away in December of
2019. Bill had always been a private person and after Diane passed he
became more so. Even when he became ill, he didn’t tell anyone. He didn’t
tell Marc or his nephew Rick and his wife Chris until it became obvious
something was wrong. They all tried to care for him as much as he allowed
until he passed away on December 1, 2025. Although he didn’t socialize
much, he is remembered in the park as a kind and caring man.
He is survived by his nephew Rick Brumfield and his wife Chris of
California.
November 22, 2025
Happy Thanksgiving! Want some gravy with that dinosaur?
Working at NOVA has taught me a few fun things about the classic Thanksgiving dinner, but here’s my favorite: Continue reading
Timber Valley was saddened by the passing of former resident Andy VanDerVelde of Lot 69 on November 9, 2025.
Andy was born May 28, 1936 in a suburb of Los Angeles, After high school he had a career in professional baseball. He played first base for the Dodgers for four or five years before being drafted into the Army. After his military service he developed a landscape and gardening business. He got an Rv and started RVing in the early 60’s. He had known Carolyn Hopkins during that time and they got together in 2012. They got their lot in Timber Valley in 2018. Andy was a willing participant with the Landscape Committee, pruning and tending the azaleas and rhododendrons throughout the park. He is also remembered as being a very good pool player.
In 2024 Andy and Carolyn moved to Senior Living in Roseburg. Andy is survived by Carolyn and her daughter Karon Buksar of Michigan. Carolyn will be returning to Michigan next year.
TIMBER VALLEY SPOTLIGHT
Ken & Valerie Knowles
Lot 156
Many of you know Ken Knowles as our resident artist. Several of his paintings are on display in the Club House and Valerie is a frequent participant in Mahjong and Sit and Sew.
But did you know?
Ken started out life with a healthy curiosity, much to his mother’s dismay. In high school he was fascinated with chemistry and that led to his experimenting in his secret lab in an outbuilding near his house. One experiment when he was developing a fuel led to his blowing up his mother’s clothesline post. Then there was the time he was carrying a jar of experimental fuel on the back of his scooter. When he hit several bumps, he blew up the back of said scooter.
After high school he joined the Marine Corps and served four years during the Korean Conflict. Back home he went to school to become an electrical engineer. He took several art classes and found he had artistic talent. He then attended the Famous Art Institute. He opened an electronics store, and the business grew rapidly. When he wasn’t able to keep qualified employees to meet the demand, he sold the store.
He worked at Philco in Houston, Texas as a draftsman until they learned of his art ability. He began doing illustrations. He was sent to Hollywood to design the set for the movie ‘Marooned”. He also worked for TI where he did illustrations for advertising and designs for trade shows.
In 1976 he met Valerie at a church group. She worked as a Systems Analyst for Dallas Federal Savings. Ken was smitten. They were married in 1977. They had two sons, Nathan and Timothy. Valerie was a stay at home mom with the boys. Nathan became a career Marine and will soon retire as a Colonel. Timothy served in the Army Signal Corp.
Valerie became interested in spinning after seeing a shawl in a shop and learning how it was made. She began spinning to be able to create yarn from natural fibers. Her first project was a table runner. Since then she has crocheted, knitted and weaved various projects. In 2019 the vest she created won Best in Show at the State Fair.
They had done some family RVing with the boys when they were younger and then in a motorhome after retirement. They visited Timber Valley and got on the Waiting List, becoming members in 2017.
Ken gave art lessons in the Club House while Valerie continued her interest in spinning and weaving. She became a member of a local Guild. When the Pandemic hit, Ken stopped art lessons in the Club House and instead gave one on one lessons in his studio. Valerie is still buying fiber that she spins. Due to health issues Ken no longer teaches. They are easy to locate on Dogwood. Just look for the huge Semper Fi sign in the gazebo. You can see his paintings in the Club House and many more in his studio. Ken and Valerie are a wonderful and interesting couple and valued members of Timber Valley.
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.
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.
