Obituary: Kenneth “Kenny” Catlin, 61, The Dalles

Kenneth “Kenny” Catlin was a huge man with an even bigger heart—a larger-than-life presence who spent his days ensuring no one around him ever went hungry, felt unloved, or stood without a friend. On June 13, 2026, at 4:51 p.m., Kenny was summoned home too soon after a fierce, courageous battle with ALS. As he took his last breath, a powerful gust of wind swept through the garden, carrying his legendary spirit home to the family awaiting him, leaving a world that will never quite be the same without his light.

A Journey of Passion, Hard Work, and Flavor

Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and 400 pounds, covered in tattoos, Kenny could easily command a room, but it was his profound kindness and booming laugh that truly captured it. In his younger years, Kenny worked the sawmills and braved the open ocean as a galley cook and fisherman on commercial fishing boats sailing to Alaska. It was during those rugged maritime days that he earned the affectionate moniker ‘Kenny Foo Yuk,” given to him by his brother Bobby, a testament to a lifelong passion for feeding people that started long before he ever owned a business.

In 2015, Kenny realized his ultimate dream and ambition by opening the Beachwood Eatery. The restaurant became his absolute pride and joy. Despite the endless trials of running a business, Kenny was always in his element there—happily greeting customers with a smile, sharing a story, and pouring his soul into his cooking. He used his kitchen not just to serve food, but to care for and uplift his entire community.

A Love Story and an Ever-Growing Family

The true anchor of Kenny’s life was his family. He met the absolute love of his life, Nancy, when she was just 13 years old. They shared a beautiful, rollercoaster romance filled with highs and navigating the lows together for many years, culminating in their marriage on June 25, 2006. Though they faced many seasons, Kenny’s heart always brought him right back to his beloved Nancy. His brother-in-law, Terry, beautifully noted the depth of this bond, sharing: “Let me tell you about a man. Not just any man…. The man with the largest heart I ever have met. Kenny would do anything for you if you were friends or family... today was his anniversary to my beautiful sister Nancy. He fought hard to make it, but in the end had to say goodbye early. He was giving to his last breath.”

To Kenny, family was never defined strictly by blood; it was defined by love. He proudly claimed three sons: Austin, Cody, and Billy. From day one to his very last breath, Kenny never saw Billy as anything less than his own son. As his boys grew, Kenny welcomed their significant others—Katelyn, Gabriella, and Jessi—with open arms and instant compassion. When Jessi joined the family and came to work alongside him at the Beachwood Eatery, they formed an unbreakable bond. He became a mentor, teaching her not only the art of cooking but the true meaning of community stewardship, leaving behind lessons that will be carried forward forever. Among the proudest moments of his life was the day he became a grandfather. Kenny was the very first person to ever hold his grandson, Johny—fondly known to him as “JJ”—and he cherished him with a fierce, protective love from that exact moment.

A Lasting Legacy

Kenny would do absolutely anything for anyone at any time. To list every life he touched, every mouth he fed, and every person who considered him an “adopted” father, brother, or friend would fill an entire book. He accepted people exactly as they were, and if his children loved someone, Kenny loved them instantly too. Kenny was preceded in death by his beloved mother, father, brothers, and sisters, who were called home before him. He leaves behind a massive, heartbroken, but deeply grateful village, including his loving wife, Nancy Catlin; his three sons, Austin Catlin(Gabriella), Cody Catlin (Katelyn), and Billy Byram(Jessi); his cherished grandson, JJ; his brother, Bobby(Diane);his brother Jeff (Connie) his sisters, Vickie and Nina; his mother-in-law Virgina Mckay; his father-in- law Frank Mckay; his brother-in-laws, Terry Mckay (Carey),Frankie Mckay and David Helms (Lana) and countless nieces, nephews, extended family, and community members.

Celebration of Life

In true keeping with Kenny’s explicit wishes, his family will not be dwelling only on the sorrow of his departure, but rather throwing a gathering worthy of his memory. A Celebration of Life will be held on July 18, 2026, where stories will be shared, his memory will be honored, and a life incredibly well-lived will be celebrated. In honor of Kenny’s giving spirit, his family asks that you take a moment today to hug your loved ones a little tighter, say a prayer for Nancy and the family during this transition, and live as Kenny did: with an open heart, a ready laugh, and a kindness.

Obituary: Marylin (Lin) Gayer Redfern, 79, The Dalles

Marylin (Lin) Gayer Redfern passed away peacefully on June 18, 2025. Lin and her twin sister, Marlene (Lee), were born on January 20, 1946, in Portland, OR. Their parents, Lucille and Eugene Gayer, founded Gene Gayer Jewelers, in The Dalles. Later their son Scott assumed ownership, relocated, and Gayer Jewelers flourished. Lin cherished her memories of spending time with her family along the Deschutes River, the beach, the Wallowa Mountains, Alaska and many other places.

Lin graduated from The Dalles High School (1964) and soon married Bill Booth. They have three children, Julie, Scott, and James. She moved to the Oregon coast, where she met and married Lee Redfern. She loved living on the Oregon coast, and while there would go beach combing with her father. Together, they collected record collections, including hundreds of washed-up flip-flops. They hung these on a line and called them “Lost Souls”.

Lin had a great sense of adventure. She traveled solo across Europe for several weeks. She enjoyed dressing up and making costumes for Halloween, beach combing, hunting, horseback riding, and sunbathing.

She was a prolific vegetable gardener and was very artistic in her designs, creating stunning rock gardens and landscapes. In the early 80s, she repainted a VW bug to look like a ladybug, using spray cans. She loved entertaining, and one of her favorites was her FAMOUS clam chowder and shrimp salad for Christmas Eve - it was the best!

She is survived by her husband, Lee, her children, Julie, Scott (Kristen), and James (Jennifer), grandchildren (Schano, Lucy, and William), her twin sister, Lee (Scott), her brother, Scott (Nok), her stepsons Todd and Torey (Jenne) Redfern, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at The Bargeway on July 17, 2025, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Obituary: Leon Edward Reed, 86, Cascade Locks

Leon Edward Reed was born February 8, 1938, in Oklahoma City, OK, to Herbert Elmer Reed and Eula Govie (Gales) Reed. On July 3rd, 2024, Leon went home to The Lord at age 86.

Leon graduated from Leedey High School in Oklahoma, where his adult journey began at 17, with only $20 in his pocket. With $20 he traveled to Florence Oregon where he met his first wife Betty C Haskell. They married on June 17th, 1956, and had four daughters before the divorce. Leon remarried Dorene Alise (Strunk) Grace on August 11th, 1978. Together they celebrated 44 years of marriage, where Leon added to his family caring for Dorene’s daughter and son.

Leon was a talented jack of all trades. He worked many jobs from detailing cars, being a millwright at the sawmills, owning his service station, receiving his electrician license and becoming an electrician, owning the Reed Furniture store, farming, being a caregiver, and being a maintenance worker at Roger Mills County Courthouse. Leon and Dorene began their marriage in Heppner, Oregon where they both worked at a local sawmill and potato plant. They then moved to Leedey Oklahoma and lived on the Reed family homestead for 41 years. In October 2021 they moved to Cascade Locks, Oregon with their daughter and son-in-law (Debra and Dan).

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Doreen Reed, his parents; Herbert Elmer Reed and Eula Govie (Gales) Reed, grandchildren; Pamela Ferguison, James Sharp, and Michael Ferguison and great-granddaughter Lilian Medina.

Leon grew a large and loving family that included Debra Reed-Sharp and Dan Sharp, Kathy (Reed) and Gene Bolin, Robbin (Reed) Ferguison, Meschelle (Grace) and Hal Whitaker, Clay, and Lolita Grace, Kimberly (Reed) and Colin Williams. He loved all 16 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, and 1 great, great-grandchild.

You will be missed by us all.

Services are planned for 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 27th, 2024 at Cascade Locks Community Church (5 SW Benson Ave, Cascade Locks, OR 97014).

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • Celilo Chapel 204 E. 4th Street, The Dalles, Oregon 97058.  Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.

Death Notice: Carrie Nelson, 67, Hood River

Carrie Nelson passed away July 4th, 2024 at her home in Hood River, Oregon. Carrie was born May 2, 1957 and was 67 years of age at the time of passing.

Services are pending with arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.

Death Notice: Jean Mahala Bucher, 86, The Dalles

Jean Mahala Bucher, age 86, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away July 4, 2024.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.