Noel Robert Radway, Sr.
Noel Robert Radway, Sr., 67, formerly of Cottage Grove and elsewhere, died Saturday, May 21 at his home of two years in Union following an extended illness. It was his request that there be no formal ceremony but that his friends remember him when they have a beer. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center of La Grande.
Noel Robert Radway, Sr. was born on April 20, 1955 in Cottage Grove to Earl and June (Levings) Radway. He was raised and educated in Cottage Grove and began his lifelong career in logging there. He loved the woods and learned and performed the many duties that went with logging. He operated equipment of all kinds, built roads, felled timber, skidded logs, loaded trucks and anything else that was needed. On Feb. 3, 1996, Noel was married to Connie Welch in Reno, Nev. In addition to logging, Noel was adept at many things, a “jack of all trades.” He even spent some time rodeoing, bronc riding and wild horse racing. He enjoyed coaching and judging the pee-wee rodeos, especially when their kids were participating. He was also a member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Connie of Union; daughter, Tanya Dean of Thurston; son, Robbie Radway, Jr. of Yoncalla; stepdaughters, Lydia Shields of Pleasant Hill, Nakea Rodriguez of Albany and eight grandchildren.
