Edward “Eddie” Riddell Lage a lifelong resident of the Hood River Valley passed away Sunday, June 23, 2013 at Brookside Manor in Hood River with family by his side. Eddie was born July 28, 1936 in Hood River to Edward Riddell, Sr. and Mary Athalie (Miller) Lage and was 76 years of age at the time of his passing.

A service to celebrate Eddie’s life and mourn his passing is planned for 1:00 p.m., Friday, June 28th, 2013 at Hood River Valley Christian Church (975 Indian Creek Road, Hood River, OR 97031). Interment will be at the Pine Grove Butte Cemetery.

Eddie is 4th generation to run the family orchard and packing house. He graduated from WyEast High School in 1954. Eddie was at Oregon State for 2 years, taking agricultural classes. He left college to help his father “Riddell” build a cold storage and packing house. Eddie was in the National Guard for 8 years.

He saw the LOVE of his life one day while she was discing a field with a cletrac crawler and told his workers, he would like to marry a girl like that. Little did Eddie know, his dreams would come true. November 17, 1963, Eddie and Joan were married, that same girl he saw 2 years earlier. 1964 he adopted Joan’s 2 children Carolyn Lee age 8 and Daniel Thomas age 5.

Eddie completed his family with another daughter Heidi Lynn in 1967 and Leland “Lee” Edward in 1970. Eddie worked hard on the family orchard along with his dad Riddell, son Lee, sister Judy, brother-in-law Kent and Nephew Brad. The orchard was his full time hobby, along with being a volunteer fireman for 56 years and an active member of the Craig Rats.

Skiing was a family fun time and he was on the national ski patrol for 25 years. Eddie a scout himself became an advisor for several years with his son Lee’s troop. He was on the Pine Grove Fire Department district board, Future Farmers of America advisory and Washington & Oregon Canning Pear Association.

Eddie joins his dad Riddell, sister Judy and daughter Carolyn.

He is survived by his mother, Athalie Lage; wife, Joan of almost 50 years; son, Daniel and wife Chrisanne of Johnstown, Colorado; daughter, Heidi and husband Kelly Kilgore of Underwood, Washington; son, Lee and wife Trisha of Pine Grove, Oregon; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; sister, Betty Lou Riffe of Loreto, Mexico; brother-in-law, Kent Lambert; niece, Jennifer and husband Marcus Goldstein and family; nephew, Terry Lambert and family; nephew, Bradley Lambert and wife Christy; and other distant family and many, many friends that he has collected over the years.

Memorials are encouraged in Eddie’s name to one of the following charities; Boy Scout Troop #282 or #378, Pine Grove Fire Department or Dog’s for the Deaf and sent care of Anderson's Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.

Please visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for family.