Veryl D. Chamberlain

Veryl Donald Chamberlain, 93, longtime resident of Grays River, died May 15, 2013 in Benton City. He was born September 16, 1919 to Fred and Effie (Clark) Chamberlain in Washougal. Shortly afterward the family moved to Unity, OR, where they were homesteaders. After his dad became ill, they moved back to Washougal where Veryl attended school and graduated from Washougal High School in 1938.

After graduation he went to work at the Pendleton Woolen Mills in the carding room. While working there he met Barbara Lee Paige and the couple married on April 12, 1942 in Oakville. Veryl soon purchased his own farm naming it Cedar View Dairy. He also returned to the Pendleton Woolen Mills where he worked on the finishing machine. Veryl sold that dairy in 1964 and bought a dairy in Grays River where he farmed until retiring. After losing Barbara in 2001 Veryl moved to Benton City.

Veryl was a 4-H leader for many years and also served on the Wahkiakum County Fair Board. He was the supervisor of the horse barn at the fair and was the major force behind the building of a new horse barn and indoor riding arena. He was one of the founders of the Twin City Saddle Club in Washougal, as well as one of the founders of the Golden Eagle Saddle Club in Rosburg. He was active in the Grange on Mt. Pleasant and in Grays River. He also served on the board of the Soil Conservation District in Wahkiakum County. In 1966 Veryl and Barbara were awarded “Dairy Family of the Year” for Wahkiakum County.

He is survived by a son, William (Kay), Skamokawa; daughter, Karen Blain (Jim), Benton City; sister, Edith Erickson (Don) Battle Ground; brother, Richard Chamberlain (Kate), Vale, OR; nine grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara; son, Robert; brother, Joseph Chamberlain; and sister, Verdie Neilsen.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 24 at the Grays River Cemetery in Grays River. A memorial service will immediately follow at the Rosburg Hall in Rosburg, followed by a potluck. Memorial contributions may be made to the Grays River Methodist Church. You may sign the online guest book and leave a message of condolence for the family at http://www.prosserfuneralhome.com.