Earl was born Aug. 19, 1932, in Hale, Mo., to Frank and Winnie (McCollom) Dougherty. He moved to Prescott Valley in June 2006. Earl passed away Feb. 21, 2008, at the Prescott Veterans Hospital.

Surviving relatives include his wife of 32 years, Sharon; children Darla, Debra, Don, and Doug, Jennifer and Steven; grandchildren Amanda, Bruce, Christopher, Darcie, John, Justin and Marty; great-grandchildren Brandon, Leeanne and Ryan; sister Frances Mitchell; niece Bobbie Cotton; half-sister Marian Owczarzak; and a half-brother, Frank.

Earl joined the Marine Corps at an early age and served in Korea. For 24 years he was a used car dealer in both Oregon and California. He enjoyed classic cars, particularly AMC/AMX, and he was currently restoring a 1953 Studebaker truck.

“A coward dies a thousand deaths. The brave die but once.” (William Shakespeare) Earl bravely faced everything in life and lived in a very straightforward manner. He heroically fought the illness that eventually took his life.

Donations can be made to the VA Hospital, 500 Highway 89 North, Prescott, AZ 86313.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Homes. His ashes will be placed in Parkdale Cemetery (Oregon). A memorial service with family and friends will be held at a later date.

Grover Clair Carter, M.D., passed away Feb. 24, 2008, at his home with family by his side at the age of 88.

A Memorial Mass will be conducted at St. Mary’s Catholic Church beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 1.

Grover Clair Carter was born Sept 17, 1919, to Ezra and Pearl Carter of Logan, Utah, the eldest of five children. He grew up in that scenic university town where he developed a lifelong passion for the natural world, giving generously to institution’s working to preserve it.

He received his Bachelor of Science in chemistry at Utah State, where his father and uncle were both professors. The two brothers quarreled over a borrowed book and never spoke the remainder of their lives, despite one passing by the other’s house to work almost daily.

This painful event made a profound impression upon young Grover and perhaps explained why he became known for his gentle diplomacy, tender heart, ability to forgive and acceptance of others with differing views. His wisdom and gentle counsel were continually sought and respected by his extended family. Everyone, it seems, loved Grover.

Upon graduation Grover married his college sweetheart, Grace Anderson, and pursued a medical doctorate at Stanford University, eventually completing a surgical residency there. Along the way he joined the Army, becoming a member of the Army Medical Corps and serving a stint aboard a hospital ship studying the radiation effects of atomic bombs in the South Pacific.

The couple settled in Hood River Valley after scouting the Pacific Northwest and believed they had found Paradise. The 46-year union with Grace brought forth six children, five of whom survive: Claire Carter, of Portland, Dr. Alan Carter, Silverwood, Dr Ralph Carter, Hood River, Ellen Carter, of Los Gatos, Calif., and Gail Arends, of The Dalles. Daughter Lynne preceded her father in death in 1986. He lost his beloved Grace to cancer in 1987. He counted these two events as the worst things that ever happened to him.

In 1987 Grover married the former Bern Jean Saulie, a registered nurse. He continued to practice medicine until the age of 75, retiring from the Hood River Medical Group in 1995.

During his long and productive life he became a world traveler, visiting every continent, including Antartica. He was especially fond of fishing, hiking, and gardening in addition to his work at the office/hospital. Grover could be found at home tending his flock of Canadian geese, moving irrigation pipe, grafting fruit trees, shearing sheep, tending a collection of exotic flora, and whatever else it took to maintain and nurture his farm and garden, for him, a place of respite, contentment and renewal.

Intellectually curious to his last days, Grover was an avid reader, consuming science journals and surfing the Internet for the “astronomy picture of the day.” With BJ, the second love of his life, Grover enjoyed traveling, gardening, attending St. Mary’s, dance club, volunteer work at the senior center, where they spent much time delivering Meals on Wheels’ and family reunions.

Grover adored his children as well as BJ’s: Janet and Barbara Saulie, of Bellingham, John Saulie, of Spokane, and Mary Kay Saulie, of Chattanooga, Tenn.; 15 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was adored in return. We will all greatly miss his gentle and loving heart.

The family suggests that remembrances be made to Hospice of the Gorge in care of Anderson’s Tribute Center.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; (541) 386-1000. Please sign Grover’s register book and print a copy of this obituary and picture at www.andersonstributecen-ter.com.