Argus Observer (Ontario, Malheur County, Oregon)
Thursday, January 08, 2009
R.L. "Tobe" Masingill, 80, of Payette, passed away Monday, Jan. 5, 2009, at a care facility in Payette. Memorial services will be 3 p.m., Friday, Jan. 9, 2009, at St. James Episcopal Church, Payette. Inurnment will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Payette, under the direction of Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, Payette. Condolences may be made to the family at www.shaffer-jensenchapel.com.
Tobe was born at his grandparents’ house in Nampa, Idaho, Sept. 29, 1928, to Tollie and Nettie Masingill. His parents moved to Payette and started Gem Electric Company in downtown Payette and that is where Tobe and his brother, Cliff, grew up. They lived above the store and spent their childhood playing on Main Street while their parents operated the business.
Tobe was obsessed with baseball! He played on every team that he could find. He played youth baseball while spending time with his grandparents in Nampa. He played high school baseball for Payette High School, during the summers he played Jr. Legion baseball on a winning team that captured two state championships. Then, with a baseball scholarship, he went on to play for the University of Idaho where in a newspaper article in 1950 he was reported as being the number one baseball player for the University up to that year.
After graduating from college with an engineering degree, he moved back to Payette with his wife, Bettie. He joined the Air National Guard and in 1951, the 190th Squadron was assigned to active duty. Tobe, along with his brother Cliff, was sent to Valdosta, Ga. While away, his wife gave birth to Brad, the first of three children. After a short stay there, he moved his family to Victorville, Calif., and served his country at George AFB, and had the honor of playing baseball on the team that won the southern division championship. He moved back to Payette in 1952, went to work at the family business with his dad, mom, and brother. In 1953, his daughter, Lee was born and in 1955, his daughter, Anne was born.
His life’s passions were rooted in the town of Payette. He helped reinstate the Apples Blossom Festival; he served as president of the Jaycees and Chamber of Commerce; was state president for the opponents of the sales tax initiative; was instrumental in building the golf course; started a local investor’s club; bowled every Wednesday night for more than 50 years; played baseball on a town team known as the Payette Packers; while in his 60s played second base on a softball tam with his son Brad and son-in-law Lee. He coached baseball, hunted, fished and played golf. Tobe lived a life full of taking care of his family, working to make Payette a great place to live and tending to the customers of Masingill’s Furniture.
He is survived by his son Brad, and his wife Robin of Payette; daughter, Lee and her husband Lee Nelson of Payette; daughter, Anne Masingill of Payette; brother, Cliff Masingill and wife Shirley of Payette; grandchildren, Brandon and Eben Masingill of Payette, Kelli Rich and her husband Cody of Nampa, and Alex Masingill of Payette; two special little great-grandsons, Kalen and Carson Rich; and special friends, Felicia and Leticia Parraz; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Other special members of his family are Leisa, Kristen, and Megan.
Tobe was preceded in death by his parents; Bettie, his wife of 51 years; son-in-law, Tom Evans; brother-in-law, Warren McCain; nephew, Mark McCain; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bud and Bettie Jenkins; and sister-in-law, Margaret Jenkins.
A special thank you goes to all those who offered love and care during the last three years of Tobe’s life; including Kyle, who became his golfing partner for his last 90 rounds of golf and the staff of Royal Villa who allowed him to live out his last days with dignity.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Scotch Pines Golf Course, c/o Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, P.O. Box 730, Payette, ID 83661.
