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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Boys want to cook for mom and her friend ... New piers offer access at Denman's Whetstone Pond ... Gov. Brown declares state of emergency as Oregon storm damage mounts ... Boys want to cook for mom and her friend ... New piers offer access at Denman's Whetstone Pond ... Gov. Brown declares state of emergency as Oregon storm damage mounts ... Ernest Jennings Lathrop Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Nov. 20, 2015 at 2:00 AM Posted Nov. 20, 2015 at 2:00 AM » Social News A True Gentleman Ernest J. Lathrop passed away October 24, 2015 in Bend, Ore. Ernie, 97, was born September 12, 1918 in Medford to A. T. and K. Ethel (Jennings) Lathrop. He married the love of his life, Maxine D. McFarland, in Sandpoint, Idaho September 28, 1946. Maxine preceded him in death September 19, 1996. In 1998 he married Marie Armstrong who passed away in 2012. Ernie was raised on Lathrop Farm, where I-5 and the Expo are now. He was a 4-H member and a 1936 graduate of Central Point High School where he excelled in baseball and basketball. His mother opened a boarding house in Corvallis in 1935 so that he and sisters, Kay and Ester, could afford college. He graduated from Oregon State Agriculture College (now OSU) in 1940. After four years in ROTC he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve. On February 2, 1941 he was ordered to active duty with the 41st Infantry Division. Ernie was then assigned to the 148th Field Artillery Regiment. On November 30, 1941 he left Pearl Harbor in convoy headed for the Philippine Islands but was diverted to Australia. He was in Darwin, Australia February 19, 1942 when it was destroyed by the Japanese. With nearly four years of island-hopping, Ernie ended up in the Philippines, then proceeded to Tokyo Harbor where he was able to watch, through field glasses from another ship, the signing of the Armistice on September 2, 1945 on the USS Missouri. He retired from active and reserve duty on September 12, 1978 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Ernie had a very diverse employment history. He was a county extension agent in eastern Oregon from 1946 to 1949, farmed and raised registered black Angus cattle in northern Idaho from 1949 to 1954, moved to Central Point, Ore. in 1954 where he farmed, raised livestock, and owned a cattle hauling company until going to work for Oregon State Corrections, Adult Parole and Probation in 1963. He and Maxine volunteered at the Central Point Library and was in the second class of the Master Gardeners. He was a former member of the Central Point Grange, charter member of the Grange Co-Op, member of Retired Military Officers Association, and a life member of the American Legion. His hobbies included traveling, hunting, fishing, and gardening. Maxine and Ernie traveled to many places outside the USA. They had many friends and family scattered throughout the world. Ernie is survived by five children, Marilyn (Bob), Greg, Craig (Nancy), Lewis, Susan (Bud); eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his siblings John, Jim, Kay, and Ester; his parents; and an infant son. As all would attest, Ernie was a "True Gentleman." Here is an excerpt from Ernie’s comments at his 60th reunion of the Class of 1936, “In my many years of experience as a student, military officer, farmer, truck driver, extension agent, correction officer, and family man, I believe the most important thing is people. If you treat people right, the world over, with respect and compassion, the benefits returned will be unlimited.” A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, November 28, 2015 at Conger-Morris Central Point Chapel, 800 S. Front St., Central Point, Ore. Ernie has been interred at Memory Gardens Memorial Park next to his beloved wife, Maxine. Arrangements by Conger-Morris Funeral Directors, Medford. (541) 772-7111. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Nov. 20, 2015 at 2:00 AM You may leave your condolences or share memories by signing the Guest Book here » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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