Earl Selby Towner

Earl Selby Towner died unexpectedly on February 27th, 2023. He was 72 years old. Earl was born at Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Prineville, OR, on June 9, 1950. He was raised by his grandmother and grandfather (Ruby and Selby Towner) at the Towner Mine, a cinnabar mine located in the Maury Mountains. Earl took pride in working in the family businesses, Towner Motor Company in Prineville and the Old Country Kitchen in Redmond, while attending Redmond Union High School. After high school, Earl married and welcomed a son, Michael, in 1969. In 1970, Earl moved his young family to Salem, Oregon, so that he could attend college. They welcomed their second child, Tamara, in 1971. Earl graduated with a degree in electronics engineering and went to work for General Electric Medical Systems (GE). In 1980, Earl married Judy (Gentry), and the family relocated back to Central Oregon. They welcomed their sons Matthew in 1982 and Jeffery in 1984. While with GE, Earl installed much of the advanced medical imaging present in Central Oregon and throughout rural Oregon today. Earl supported St. Charles Medical Center after the move from "Hospital Hill' to the eastside of Bend, installing nuclear medicine, mammography, CT, and the first MRI unit; bringing world-class care to Central Oregon. In addition, Earl supported CORA, BMC/Summit, and numerous clinics and tribal communities across Oregon and SW Washington. After leaving GE, Earl and Judy purchased Reliable Maintenance Service, later evolving into Professional X-Ray Services, Inc., where Earl continued supporting the medical imaging equipment of Central and rural Oregon. Earl's commitment to serving his clients and profession brought him great joy and many friendships, most of which remained throughout his life. Earl was the "go-to guy" for family, friends, and neighbors; there wasn't anything you couldn't ask of him or that he couldn't fix. His "shop" had more tools and gadgets than a fully stocked hardware or equipment store. He was always there to support his family, whether it be by attending sporting activities, professional events, restoring vintage vehicles, raising animals (FFA/4-H), or haying. He was a lifetime learner and loved to share his knowledge with his children and grandchildren; he took great pride in preaching safety, talking physics, and explaining inertia to anyone within earshot. Earl could be found on any given day with the hood up on one of his vintage Corvettes, listening to Queen or Pink Floyd, and smiling. It is impossible to describe the love he had for his family-his true reason for existing. Earl is survived by his partner in life and loving wife, Judy, sons Michael (Gail), Matthew (Allie), Jeffery, daughter Tammy Baney (Steve), grandsons Cory (Ashley) and Jacob, granddaughters Tiffanie Bottoms, Danielle Moss, Mariah (Paul), Adalynn Bane, and bonus granddaughters Lindsi (Scott) Bilyeu, Ashley (Chris) Level, Alesha Simpkins, 10 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his mother, Anabeth Laughlin Towner; father, Selby Towner, Jr.; sister, Dode Larson; and brothers, David and Kenny Towner. A private graveside service will be held, and a celebration of life will be in the summer of 2023. In lieu of flowers, hug your family and reach out to a neighbor to lend a hand; that's what Earl would do.

Tributes

Earl Selby Towner

June 9, 1950 - February 27, 2023