George Wilson Mershon Jr.

(1927 - 2014)

George (Bud) was born on January 17, 1927, in Portland, OR, to George W. and Laura A. Mershon. He died at peace on November 23, 2014. He was 87 years old, a member of the “greatest generation.” He grew up during the deprivation of the depression, farming with his family in Corbett, OR, on land purchased by his grandfather in the 1890s. He left high school and served with the Merchant Marines in the latter part of World War II. He enlisted in the US Army in 1945 and volunteered to serve with the Airborne. He met his life partner, Viola Mershon (née Heard), at a dance in Portland, OR. They were married in October of 1949, and moved to Corbett in 1957, where they raised four children together. He is survived by those children, seven grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and his sister, Laura.

Bud was well liked by everyone who met him. He was a natural salesman. He worked for Woodbury & Company, Standard Steel, and Metra Steel, and was successful as both a salesman and an inside sales manager. But, above all else, Bud’s roots ran deep in the Corbett soil. He and Viola purchased the Corbett Hardware Store in 1967 and they ran it until 1990. He and his son, Jeff, established Mershon Farms in 1990 and it is still in operation today. He was always very involved in community activities and was a strong supporter of Corbett schools. Through the years, he was a member of the Kiwanis club, served on the water district board of directors, and regularly attended East Multnomah County Pioneer Association meetings.

Bud was always happiest outdoors and loved to camp, ride horses, hunt and fish. He was a great story teller, entertaining and funny. He was a ruthless pinochle player. He was also an enthusiastic sports fan, especially of college football and basketball. He loved listening to and playing old-time country music; he was mostly self-taught on the fiddle, guitar, and mandolin. A couple of his favorite songs were the “Big Rock Candy Mountain” and “Abdul Abulbul Amir,” which he would play and sing for family and friends. His biggest regret was not having more music lessons as a child, but like for so many of the “greatest generation,” other needs came first. Bud was a loving and dedicated husband and father, and he will be greatly missed.

A private service will be held at a later date.