Marion Piper
Marion "Sarge" Lawrence Piper, 74, of Brookings, Ore., died April 18, 2007, in an automobile accident near Reedsport, Ore.
He was born May 29, 1932, in Florence, a son of Fred Edward and Shirley Rose (Hinchman) Piper.
After graduating from Florence high school in 1950, he briefly attended Central College at McPherson, before joining the U.S. Marine Corps where he served honorably form 1951-1954. He was discharged at the rank of sergeant, and was the recipient of several medals including the Korean service medal and the Purple Heart.
He gained national prominence when he was kidnapped, beaten, and shot after returning from Korea, while in the Marine Corps. The trial of his kidnapper and attempted murderer led to the enactment of the "little Lindberg law" forbidding servicemen to hitchhike.
He worked for 33 years in the lightweight sand and gravel business in Frazier Park, Calif., and was sole owner of Hill Auto Parts in Frazier Park.
He also served as a sergeant of the Kern County Sheriff's Reserve in Kern County, Calif., for 22 years.
He met Patricia LaPine and married her on Nov. 25, 1971, in Las Vegas, Nev.
The couple made their home in Frazier Park, Calif., before moving to Brookings, Ore., in 1995.
He received a Legion of Honor award from the Chapel of Four Chaplains. He was twice awarded the Marine of the Year from the Marine Corps League for the state of Oregon, and once from the local detachment.
He served as parish assistant for the Trinity Lutheran Church; Chaplain for the Marine Corps League Detachment 578; State Marine Corps League chaplain for Oregon; Chaplain for the Curry County Chapter of the Gideon's International; as a Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED instructor and as a Red Cross Blood Drive chairman.
He was active in the community serving as a Meals on Wheels volunteer, and as a Whale Watch Volunteer.
Piper was a devout Christian and enjoyed teaching adult Bible studies. He persevered in his commitments, having been active in the Gideon's International since 1956, and the Red Cross since 1951.
Survivors include his wife Pat of Brookings, Ore.; daughters, Nora Louise Orizaga of Bakersfield, Calif., Lorena Susan Linder and husband Paul of Taft Heights, Calif.; sons, Matthew Lawrence Piper and his wife Bonnie of Stonyford, Calif., and David August Piper of Santa Barbara, Calif.; brothers, Ernest W. Piper of San Diego, Calif., Kenneth Piper and Raymond Piper, both of Wichita; sisters and brother-in-law, Betty J. and Ramon Criss of El Dorado and Loretta Klawitter, Mineapolis, Minn.; nine grandchildren, Joshua, Nicolas, Ian, Rhiannon, and Matthew Orizaga; Susan Meeks; Jennifer Shaw; and Cheyenne and Michael Piper; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Leland L., Irwin E., Fred Jr., and Claude D. Piper; and sister, Rosetta.
A celebration of life service was held April 28 at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 1200 Easy St., Brookings, Ore.
Cremation is under the direction of Redwood Memorial Chapel & Crematory.
Memorials have been established with Gideon's International Faith Fund, U36070 — Curry Camp, Box 1830 Brookings OR; the American Red Cross - Curry County Drive, Box 1175, Coos Bay OR; or Trinity Lutheran Church Building Fund, PO Box 1199, Brookings OR 97415.
— paid obituary
