Virgil Lee Trout was born on January 2, 1937 in Yakima, Washington to LeRoy and Mary (Cinnamon) Trout. At age 15 he moved to the Lyons area and Virgil attended Stayton High School. From early on, Virgil was outgoing and loved to be involved with several activities. He was the running back of the football team and was class president. He graduated from Stayton High School in 1955. Virgil moved to Vancouver, Washington to live with his aunt while he attended Lewis and Clark to become an electrician. Life would have a different plan, as he met his wife Joyce Minnick through his friends. After a week, he asked her to a dance and they both knew they were soul mates, marrying on January 10, 1958. Virgil and Joyce decided the best thing to do was move home, where Virgil began working at the mill in Lyons for a short time. Little did Virgil know that by being helpful and kind, would land him the job he would have for 41 years when he would go to the Hill Top Grocery and help the store owner bag his own groceries. The owner of the store mentioned to Virgil that if he ever needed a job- he had one. When the mill closed, Virgil went to work at the grocery store now known as “Mill City Marketplace”. Over the years, Virgil made many connections with his customers. He had a big heart for all of them and it was not uncommon for him to buy a child some candy with his own money or take groceries to elderly folks after he got off work because he knew they physically couldn’t make it in. He also had a tremendous sense of humor; he enjoyed hearing a good joke and also liked telling them. His kindness radiated to everyone who interacted with him and it wasn’t uncommon whey Joyce would go out into the community and hear the words, “We just love your husband so much”. Virgil retired just 17 years ago from the grocery store and filled his time with many community based volunteer programs. He was a member of the fraternal organization of Odd Fellows, was part of the Fire Board for 40 years and held many positions through that time. It was not uncommon if there was a fire that Virgil would go to the scene and comfort people. He was also a volunteer at Meals on Wheels, delivering meals to seniors in the community or working the kitchen with his wife Joyce. Together, the volunteered twice weekly until just this last December. But one of the most important roles Virgil had in his life was that of a father to his three children Tony, Brenda and Bev. He was incredibly laid back, kind and supported them in whatever they wanted to accomplish. His children would joke that they had to be good because their dad would hear any news of them getting into trouble from the store patrons. He and Joyce would take them on family trips to the cabin on the Alsea River, camping and ATV trips on the sand dunes and every year go to their family reunion in Washington. It also wasn’t uncommon for his kids to join him on the weekends to cut wood or help a neighbor cut wood. Virgil loved sports and his family would say that he would watch anything that had a ball in it. He loved to watch football and although he didn’t favor a specific team, when it came to basketball he always rooted for the Blazers. He also enjoyed watching wrestling or boxing as well. Virgil passed away at his home surrounded by the love of his family on February 14, 2019 at age 82. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Kenny, David, Jonny, Joe and his grandson, Jose Moreno. He is survived by his wife of 61 years Joyce; children, Tony (Naomi) Trout, Brenda (Michael) Thompson, Bev Ginsbach; siblings, Eddy Trout, Roxanne Barlow, Lonnie Slaughter; 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to one of the three organizations that Virgil lent many years to: Mill City Volunteer Fire Department, Meals on Wheels or Mill City Odd Fellows. His family would love to hear your stories and memories, please leave them on his online obituary at weddle-funeral.com A celebration of life will be held on “ Sunday, March 3rd 2019, 2pm at the Mill City Fire Department with cookies and coffee provided. The community is welcomed“.
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