Gerald Dale Massey

Gerald “Gerry” Dale Massey of The Dalles, Oregon was born October 26, 1945 in Kennett, Missouri to Claud and Clara Stone Massey and departed this life on Monday, March 29, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. Gerry served as a member of the military police in the United States Army from 1967 to 1969 which included a tour in Viet Nam; being there during both TETS. Gerry's mother, Clara, introduced Sandra and Gerry and they married on September 15, 1969. Gerry was employed at various paper mills until he was accepted in the Oregon State Police in 1970 and served until 1983 in the Arlington and The Dalles, Oregon areas. He then became a Deputy Sheriff in Sherman County, Oregon and later was elected as Sherman County Sheriff, a position held until his retirement in 2000. The family moved back to The Dalles, Oregon in 2005 where he resided until his death. From a young age, Gerry was an avid hunter and fisherman. He received his first BB gun as a Christmas gift when he was four and his brother was 10. He loved archery and was usually able to get his game whether it be a deer, elk, or bear. Later in life, he preferred taking pictures of animals rather than killing them! His real passion was fishing, and he was known in the county for catching the most and largest fish! Gerry was a caring, tenderhearted man and could not stand the thought of anything going hungry, be it people or animals. As a result, he and Sandra cared for all the stray cats in the neighborhood; at one time having ten strays. Two of the cats were brought home but the others came for dinner and never left! He is survived by his wife of 51 years and best friend, Sandra Leard Massey, one daughter, Rhonda Massey Sanders and husband, Tim, of Marcola, Oregon, one brother, Dewayne Massey and wife, Margaret, of Montrose, Arkansas, one sister, Glenda Massey Braun and husband, Tom, of Cornelius, Oregon, two grandchildren, Jared Sanders and wife, Sarah, of Madison, Wisconsin, and Tara Sanders of Marcola, Oregon and one great-granddaughter, Melanie Sanders as well as a host of nieces and nephews. A celebration of life will be held April 9, 2021 under the direction of Attrell's Newberg Funeral Chapel. A visitation will be at 11:00 A.M. at Attrell’s Funeral Chapel, 207 Villa Road, Newberg, Oregon. A graveside service will follow in the Valley View Memorial Park, 24235 NE Dayton Avenue, Newberg, Oregon. Pallbearers will be Tim Sanders, Jared Sanders, Kenneth Leard, James Leard, Brian Leard and Todd Braun. Honorary pallbearers include Dewayne Massey and Tom Braun and law enforcement co-workers, Elmer Button and Irwin Gordon. Memorials may be sent to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, American Diabetes Association or American Heart Association.

Gerald Dale Massey

October 26, 1945 - March 29, 2021