Tuesday, 31 August 2004
Elwood Faist, life member, member of the board of directors, and long time benefactor of Canby Rod and Gun Club died today at his home. Elwood had been ill for some time, and his health rapidly deteriorated in the last three days of his life. Elwood's body will be at the Canby Funeral Chapel (160 S Grant Street, 503-266-1144) on Monday, on 6 September 2004, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Elwood's burial will be at the Zion Memorial Cemetary (northwest corner of Township Road and Walnut Street in Canby) at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, 7 September 2004. There will be a service for Elwood at the CRGC clubhouse immediately following the funeral at approximately 10:30 AM on Tuesday.
Elwood joined CRGC in 1924, when he was 16 years old, and was a member continuously for 79 years. Elwood had been a Vice President, and a member of the board of directors since the 1950's. He was active in the incorporation of the club; moving the club to its current location and leasing to the club the land on which it currently resides; and in the building of the clubhouse and ranges. Elwood was elected permanent director, "ex officio", in 1965, and he served on the board of directors for 39 years.
Elwood John Faist, a Canby farmer, horseman and businessman, died Aug 31, 2004, at his home following an extended illness. He was 95.
Burial will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7, at Zion Memorial Cemetary, followed by a memorial service at 10:30 a.m. at the Canby Rod and Gun Club.
He was born Dec. 25, 1908, in North Bend, Neb., to Matt and Emma Faist.
The family moved to Canby in 1918 to the farm that he resided on. He graduated from the eighth-grade at Mundorff Grade School, just south of Canby.
The schoolhouse still stands today on the property, which he purchased years ago.
Elwood married Alice Garrett on July 25, 1931, and they lived at their home in rural Canby for 71 years. She passed away Aug. 20, 2002.
Together, they owned and operated the Canby Berry Gardens, and Faist Fruit Stand, located at New Era, for 64 years. They also raised thoroughbred race horses, starting in 1945, and he was still involved with raising and breaking the horses.
For many years, the Faists employed many of the town's youth, working in their extensive berry fields, and feed and straw for their horses. All of their crops were sold at their fruit stand, or in Portland at the markets.
During the time the fruitstand was running, Elwood would head into Portland every morning around 4 a.m. to take the fruit and vegetables to market, and bring back things they did not grow themselves for the fruitstand.
His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren remember going to market with grandpa, early in the mornings, and always stopping for breakfast at Art's Cafe in Oregon City for hot choclate on the way home.
During World War II, they had people lined up at the fruit stand, to get bananas, as they were in short supply, and Elwood had purchased a boxcar load of them.
Raising horses at first was a hobby, and soon became a business.
He had many winners in Oregon, Washington, California, and Canada. And, as a breeder, he won many awards. He traveled often to watch his horses race.
To this day, he still has horses racing and winning.
Up until about age 92, Elwood was still cleaning stalls every morning, and taking care of his horses. Over the years, one of his favorite past times was trap shooting.
He was a lifelong member of the Canby Rod and Gun Club, which has been on his property for more than 40 years. He traveled to Reno a number of times for shooting, and won many awards for his trap-shooting abilities. He was a permanent member of the board of directors at the local gun club.
In 1947, the Faists formed Willamette Valley Bank, along with five other local residents. The bank was sold to U.S. National Bank in 1955.
Elwood was also a life member of the Oregon City Elks, and a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge in Canby.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He hunted with many of his friends, one being Glen Park, who owned the Safari Club in Estacada. He loved to tell his hunting stories, and of all the deer they would get.
A very hard worker, and a true family man, Elwood loved to work the land, raising the crops, and horses, and loved to see his family working with him on the farm. He owned numerous pieces of property around town that he farmed, including the property behind the high school, along Elm Street, where the Canby Medical Clinic is today.
To this day, the farm is still a working farm, being run by his son Larry and his wife Betty, his daughter Shirley, and Larry and Betty's children and grandchildren. Elwood loved having his whole family working the farm and the horses, carrying on his family's tradition, they say.
Survivors include daughter Shirley Baldwin of Eugene; son and daughter-in-law Larry and Betty Faist of Canby; brother Walter of Canby; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren.
The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Willamette Falls Hospice.
Canby Funeral Chapel is entrusted with services.