St. Clair County Obits

RICHARD RAY LUBBERS

News-Times, Newport, OR
26 March 2003

Richard Ray Lubbers, 66, of Independence, (Polk Co.) formerly of Newport, (Lincoln Co.) died March 19, 2003 at his home. He was born March 24, 1936 in Okeene, Okla.
He was raised in Wichita, Kansas. He married Beverly Jean Doolittle on March 17, 1956 in Oak Harbor, Wash.
He began his career in the U.S. Navy as an electronics technician on the U.S.S. Shangri La. His electronics career included positions with the phone company and the state forestry department, and he worked on most of the repeater stations on Oregon's mountain ranges. He and his wife lived in Newport for 22 years. (Lincoln Co.)
He was active in rabbit husbandry and developed the Evergreen New Zealand white rabbit bloodline at his family rabbitry and farm, and was superintendent of the rabbit department for the Lane County Fair. He provided rabbits for leukemia and other medical research.
He founded the Emerald Empire Rabbit Breeders Association and its spring rabbit show. He helped pioneer a commercial rabbit meat line. He was involved with 4-H leadership, Cub Scouts, and his church. Mid-life, he moved to Buena Vista to operate a farm and independent trucking business. Prior to retirement, he helped operate a tax business with his wife, and operated several laundromats, and a computer business. After retirement, he enjoyed fishing on the Alsea River.
Survivors include his mother, Gladys Lubbers of Osceola, Mo.; his wife of 47 years, Beverly Lubbers; three sons, Michael Lubbers of California, Scot Lubbers and family of Brush Prairie, Wash., and Daniel Lubbers and family of Salem; a daughter, Laurie Vande Walle and family of Salem; a sister, Sue Bounds of Osceola, (St. Clair Co.) Mo.; a brother, Keith Lubbers of Portland; an uncle, Melvin Lubbers of Osceola, Mo.; six grandchildren; and many extended family members.
A memorial service was held March 24 at Buena Vista Community Church, followed by interment at Hilltop Cemetery in Independence. Memorial contributions may be made toward the purchase of a new sound system at Buena Vista Community Church. Farnstrom Mortuary of Independence handled the arrangements.