Pendleton, Ore., resident Steve Fairley, died Sunday, Aug. 3, 2014, at a Pendleton assisted living facility. He was 76 years old.

Born Gerald (Jerry) Leroy Blanchard to Lloyd Thomas Blanchard and Melva Lorraine Pickering in 1938 in Yakima, Steve lived in Yakima, Sunnyside, Wash., Minam, Ore., Stanfield, Ore., Pendleton, Ore., and Lewiston, before moving to the North Idaho Children's Home in Lewiston in 1950. Jerry's name was changed in 1952 to Stephen Earl Fairley when he was taken into the home of Gordon and Rudy Fairley. Along with their daughter, Dawn, Gordon and Rudy welcomed Steve into their family and provided Steve with a stable and happy home until his graduation from Lewiston High School in 1957. Steve remained close with the Fairleys and had good memories of his time with them, including riding horses around Lewiston, spending time with "granddad" Fairley, attending school dances, working in Gordon's nursery and family vacations.

Steve had four brothers, Tommy, Will and Dick Blanchard and Pat McDonald. Tommy was killed in Pendleton in 1948 when he was hit on his bicycle by a gravel truck that lost its brakes near present-day Dean's Deli. Will and Dick were adopted from the North Idaho Children's Home in 1952, and their names were changed to Will Martin and Archie Martin. Both are deceased. Pat McDonald was adopted from the North Idaho Children's Home in 1952, and his name was changed to Pat Sarbacher. Pat and his wife Judy reside in Lewiston.

Steve was a father figure to his brothers until their adoptions in 1952, helping to provide food, clothing and other basic needs. They remained close throughout their lives.

After graduating from high school, and a year at the University of Idaho, Steve joined the U.S. Army in 1959 and was stationed in France. On a summer evening in Paris, 1961, he met with his sister Dawn and her friend, Carolyn Frasier, who were on a European tour. Carolyn and Steve began dating and were married in 1963 in Coeur d'Alene. They moved to Ellensburg, Wash., where Steve attended Central Washington University, graduating with a business degree in the spring of 1966.

After their son, Gordon Scott, was born in July 1966, Steve and Carolyn moved to Portland, Ore., where Steve began a 10-year career with First National Bank. They adopted their daughter, Jennifer Dawn, in 1969. The family moved to Pendleton in 1978 when Steve accepted a job in sales for Howard Cooper, a heavy equipment company. In 1981, Steve accepted a sales job with Inland Machinery in Pendleton, selling logging and construction equipment in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. He won the company's top sales award in 1983. Steve and Carolyn divorced in 1985.

In 1987, Steve married Sally Geisel in Pendleton. Sally's daughters, Jennifer and Shandi Lieuallan, and Steve's children, Scott and Jennifer, were always welcomed by Steve and Sally, and the blended families developed many fond memories together. Steve and Sally resided in Pendleton before moving to Athena, Ore., in 1992. In 1991, Steve and Sally purchased My Wife's Antiques in Pendleton, which they operated until 1996. Steve and Sally, with help from family and friends, also operated the Centerville Auction Group. Steve and Sally were divorced in 1999.

In 1998 Steve relocated to Santa Rosa, Calif., where his brother Archie lived, and worked as a store manager at Friedman Brothers Hardware. Steve retired to Baker City, Ore., in 2007 until health issues forced his move to an assisted living facility in Pendleton in 2008. He resided in assisted care facilities in Pendleton until his death.

Steve believed in being involved with his community and his family. He served on the Reynolds School Board in Portland, as president of the Pendleton Rotary Club and Pendleton United Way, played the role of Chester in the "Rendezvous" musical, and was a member of the Pendleton Planning Commission and the Pendleton City Council. He never missed a school event for his children and enjoyed activities such as hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, cutting firewood and playing games with his brothers, sister, children and grandchildren throughout his life.

Steve is survived by his son, Scott Fairley and daughter-in-law and Kimbra Cook of Pendleton; his daughter, Jennifer Peterson and son-in-law John Peterson of Clackamas, Ore.; his grandchildren, Lieden Cook, Addie Peterson and Emily Peterson; his brother, Pat Sarbacher of Lewiston; and his sister, Dawn Rooney of Bangkok, Thailand.

Steve was a good man and will be missed by those who loved him and knew him well. He will share a grave site with his brother Tommy at Olney Cemetery in Pendleton. A memorial service for family and friends will be held 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Pendleton Arts Center.

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