John Robert (JR) Gaddis III, 81, of Independence, OR peacefully passed away on Tuesday, August 2nd, 2022 surrounded by loved ones.

JR was born on May 3rd, 1941 to Mary Edna and John Robert Gaddis Jr. in Alton, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his brothers Ronald Eugene Gaddis, Brent Allen Gaddis and son, Kerry Michael Gaddis.

JR is survived by his devoted wife of 61 years, Patricia Sharon Gaddis; brother David Gaddis and wife, Sandy of Laramie, WY; his four children, daughter Kalli Gaddis of Albany, OR; son Kristan Gaddis and wife Mary of Casper, WY; son Kraig Gaddis of Spokane, WA and daughter Kodi Fagan and husband Michael of Corvallis, OR. JR has been blessed with fourteen grandchildren and many adorable great grandchildren.

JR believed that life was a journey and that he was truly blessed to live the life he lived. He graduated from high school in Laramie, Wy in 1959. On September 3rd, 1960, he married Pat (affectionately called Trish), his lifelong love. Together, Pat and JR started their family and spent the next 61 years with a strong love and commitment to each other and their family.

JR was known to be a very proud man, hard worker and lifelong learner. Upon graduating high school, he entered the National Guard and completed basic training. He served in the US Army Combat Engineers and Wyoming National Guard (total of ten years). He finished his service at the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. After leaving the military, JR made his living as a printer and owned two subsequent printing plants in Casper and Laramie, WY, serving as CEO and CFO.

JR attended the University of Wyoming in his younger years. After moving to Oregon in 1986, JR continued his career as Printing Production Manager of Printing and Mailing Services at Oregon State University. He completed his BS in Management at this time as well as additional coursework toward a Master’s Degree. JR took the Director position at the University of

Oregon’s Department of Printing and Mailing in 1994. Under his leadership, it was one of the top 15 ranked university in-plants nationwide, both in size and revenue.

JR was grateful for the rewarding life he lived. He had a devout Christian faith, a loving relationship with his wife and four children who both supported him and were a source of pride. He had a strong sense of duty, was true to his word and was known to be a kid at heart. JR played the piano and was in two bands. His love of music would later transpire into family

sing-alongs as he, Pat and the kids gathered around the piano to celebrate various holidays. He played and coached various sports and was a talented bowler. JR was an avid reader and storyteller.

As a devout Christian, JR credited his mother, Mary, for his great Christian faith. He has been a member of many Lutheran Churches in both Wyoming and Oregon. He served as a lay Minister (14 years) at Grace Lutheran Church in Eugene, Oregon and most recently was a member of Faith Lutheran Church of Monmouth/Independence, Oregon.

JR lived a blessed life and always strived to keep moving forward. He will lay to rest at Greenhill Cemetery in Laramie, Wyoming after a graveside burial on Friday, August 12th, 3pm MST. Reception will be held following at the Newman Center.

An additional memorial will be held at Faith Lutheran Church in Independence, Oregon for family and friends on September 24th at 11:00 am PST. JR was loved and will be greatly missed. However, there is comfort for his family and friends in the legacy he left behind.

In lieu of flowers and in honor of the deceased, the family asks donations be sent to Faith Lutheran Church to either support building a playground for youth (P.O. Box 327, Monmouth, OR 97361) or support Lutheran Latino Ministries at the following link: https://www.lutheranlatinoministries.org/donate.htm.