Mary Jane and Charles Kenneth Deeks

Published 1:05 am Sunday, September 7, 2014

Mary Jane (Boozier) DeeksOctober 23, 1928 – July 19, 2014 Charles Kenneth DeeksJune 17, 1921 – July 21, 2014Mary Jane (Boozier) Deeks was born to Charles and Lucille (Hiscox) Boozier on October 23, 1928 in Burlingame, CA.

The family moved to Portland, OR in October of 1930, one year and a day after the stock market crash. She graduated from Grant High School in 1946, attended Oregon State University and the University of Oregon Nursing School, graduating in 1951. Her externships were at Multnomah County Hospital in Portland, OR and Oregon State Psychiatric Hospital in Salem, OR. It was during her externship that she met Charles K. Deeks, M.D.

Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Charles.

Charles Kenneth Deeks was born to Gladys (Pichette) and Kenneth C. Deeks on June 17, 1921 in Portland, OR.

He graduated from Grant High School in 1939 and attended Reed College from 1939-1942, graduating in 1944. He enlisted in the Navy in 1942. Following boot camp he began his naval career as a Pharmacist Mate 1st Class, serving in the Pacific Theatre in the Solomon Islands, North Russell, Point Segi, New Georgia and the Marshall Islands during World War II. He returned to the United States on the USS Ticonderoga to Bremerton, WA in 1946.

Charlie started medical school in 1946 at the University of California Berkley, graduating in 1949. His medical internship was at Los Angeles County Hospital and residency at Multnomah County Hospital (which later became part of OHSU) in Portland, OR. There he met Mary Jane Boozier.

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Don, Bill and Doug.

Mary Jane and Charlie were married on November 26, 1952 in Portland, OR. Charlie completed his Navy career at White Sands, NM — special orders atomic, biological, chemical war defense; Oakridge, TN; Fort McClellan, AL; San Diego Naval Hospital and USS Haven hospital ship.

In 1958 he resigned from the Navy and opened a urological medical practice in Fullerton, CA. Duringthis time Mary Jane worked as an ICU nurse at St. Jude Hospital in Fullerton, CA. In 1979 Charlie and Mary Jane moved to Bend, OR where Charlie opened a urological medical practice. Mary Jane worked as a Nursing Supervisor at Central Oregon District Hospital in Redmond, OR. Charlie retired in 1995 and Mary Jane in 2000.

They are survived by sons, Rick (Virginia) of Eugene, OR, Don of Bend, OR, Bruce (Kandace) of Snohomish, WA, Darryl (Ellie) of Anaconda, MT and Cherie of Bend, OR; and five beloved grandchildren, Molly, Tyler, Kelly, Anwyn and Derek.Mary Jane enjoyed antiques, cats, vacations, family gatherings and visits with friends. She cared deeply about other people and will be greatly missed by all of us who knew her. Charlie enjoyed fishing, crossword puzzles and family vacations. With his keen memory, he became the family historian and keeper/teller of family stories. He will be deeply missed by all of us.A memorial gathering will be held 12:00 p.m. Monday, August 25 at Elk Lake in the Deschutes National Forest, with a catered lunch to follow.