Nov. 25, 1931-Feb. 23, 2011
Clarence Ray “C.R.” Wells, 79, of Sweet Home died Feb. 23, 2011.
He was born in Dallas, Texas, to Marion Oliver and Ada Clausine (McIntyre) Wells.
He graduated from Pleasant Grove High School in Dallas, Texas. Right out of high school, Mr. Wells enlisted in the U.S. Navy, May 1949. He served during the Korean and Vietnam wars.
Mr. Wells served for over 20 years attaining the rank of senior chief petty officer. He was honorably discharged in Millington, Tenn., in March 1971.
During his military service, Mr. Wells married Betty Woten on Sept. 8, 1953 in Seattle, Wash. They were married 20 years. Mrs. Wells died in 2000. He married Dorothy Mae Carter on Nov. 25, 1987 in Dallas, Texas.
After his military service Mr. Wells opened his own driver training school, which he ran several years. He became a bus driver for Dallas Transit, D.A.R.T., and worked there for 10 years. He retired in 1991.
Mr. Wells was a member of Church of Christ and the American Legion in Lebanon.
He enjoyed working in his yard, fishing and photography. He played guitar in his own band, named High Noon, in Dallas, Texas. He loved singing, recording and performing, mostly country western music, at county fairs for more than 15 years.
Mr. Wells is survived by his wife, Dorothy Wells of Sweet Home; son Rick Wells of the Philippines; daughters Jill Wells of Fairfield, Calif., and Julie Campbell of Austin, Nevada; stepdaughters Vickie Wolverton of Salem and Diana Morris of Mehama; stepson, Jerold Wolverton of Portland; brother Richard Wells of Dallas, Texas; sister Marian Stilwell of Texas; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
A funeral service will be be held at 11 a.m. on March 5, 2011 at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. Private interment will be at Gilliland Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in his name can be made to OHSU Cancer Institute Research Department, 3181 Sam Jackson Park Rd., Portland, OR 97239-3098 or California Pacific Medical Center Foundation, in memory of C.R. Wells for Pancreatic Cancer Research, 2015 Steiner Street, San Francisco, California 94115.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements.