Roy Clark Hathaway

Roy Clark Hathaway was born on February 17, 1928, in Corvallis to Earl Blair Hathaway and Stella Irene (Clark) Hathaway. He went to be with Jesus on March 12, 2018. He was raised on the Kiger Island family farm near Corvallis where he would live his entire life. Roy attended Kiger Island School for first through eighth grade and was active in 4-H and FFA, where he earned multiple awards. Roy graduated from Corvallis High School in 1946 and went on to graduate from Oregon State College in 1951 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Agriculture - Farm Crops. He also participated in ROTC. He married JoAnn Patricia Neer on June 18, 1950. Roy and JoAnn raised four children on the island and farmed up to 500 acres over the next 65 years. They produced many row crops, hazelnuts, berries, wheat, barley, red beets for seed, alfalfa, corn and beans, as well as sheep. Over the years, they added another 500 acres of timberland. For years they ran a strawberry field and in 1962 he started planting hazelnuts. Roy’s strong work ethic was passed through this farm to many, including his children. In 1974, he had a severe accident while falling a tree to create new farmland. His son, Ron returned home from college to run the farm. After his recovery, he continued to farm while he expanded his timber holdings to five tree farms. Roy enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping and these became a large part of his family life. He was a master fisherman and enjoyed teaching his grandchildren the craft. In later years, Roy and JoAnn enjoyed traveling the 50 United States and abroad, and wintering at the Fountain of Youth in Southern California, where he played cards and pool. Together Roy and JoAnn received numerous awards from the Farm Bureau, while they served for over 60 years. Those awards included, Outstanding Farm Family (1990), the Oregon President’s Award in 1969, 1983 and 1996, and induction into the Oregon Farm Bureau Hall of Fame in 2004. Roy was named Western Oregon Tree Farmer of the Year in 1985. He served on many boards throughout the area, including the Federal Land Bank and the Farm Credit System. Roy never met a person he couldn’t engage in a conversation and find a connection with. When he saw them again, he remembered who they were and what they had done. He was truly a people person. In following Christ’s example, he loved finding and meeting the needs of others. Roy is survived by his sister, LouAnn Hathaway; four children, Joyce Reed (Rick), Connie May (Darrell), Ron Hathaway (Linda) and Dianne Egbert (David); ten grandchildren, Michelle, Brent, Mark, Scott, Michael, Kenny, Laura, Kaitlyn, Brad and Jordan; and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, JoAnn; and brother, Lyle Hathaway. To help us celebrate a life well lived and well loved, please join us for a memorial service at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday March 24 at First Baptist Church of Corvallis where Roy was a lifetime member. Memorial gifts may be given to First Baptist Church in Roy’s name.

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Roy Clark Hathaway

February 17, 1928 - March 12, 2018