Hershel Gerald Brinkley

Hershel Gerald Brinkley

June 1, 1927 – June 2, 2008

Hershel Gerald Brinkley passed away Monday June 2, of natural causes. He was 81.

Hershel had just celebrated his 81st birthday with friends and family at his home in Grants Pass. Born in Hatton Arkansas, Hershel was a two time US Navy veteran that moved to Oregon with his wife, the late Joyce Helen Marie (Ward) Brinkley, in 1952. They raised their family of 5 children in Grants Pass.

Hershel lived a colorful life in his younger days, leaving home in Arkansas at the age of 12 to hitchhike alone to California to find work during WWII. Then, at the age of 17, he joined the navy for the first time. After marrying and re-enlisting, Hershel moved his family west, living for a time in Lebanon, Oregon, then Pinehurst, Idaho before settling in Grants Pass. Hershel loved rodeo—especially bull riding—and tried his hand at it in local rodeos in the 50’s and 60’s.

A long-time mill worker, Hershel also spent time driving long-haul trucks before he retired in 1992. At that time, he lived and cared for his father and stepmother in Corvallis before their passing. Hershel was preceded in death by his wife Joyce, his daughter Janice, his father Luther Brinkley of Corvallis, his stepmother Elfleda (Wise)Brinkley, and his mother Beulah Roberts Brinkley. He is survived by his son Michael, daughters Joyce Fields, Teresa Young, Patti Widmer of Bend, Lori Brinkley of Mill City, 10 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and 1 great-great granddaughter.

A memorial service will be held at his home at 10:00 am on July 12th. For more information, contact Lyn at Hull and Hull Funeral Home or call 541-472-9645. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Disabled American Veterans (DAV), American Lung Association, of the American Cancer Society.