Gerald Andrew Hite passed away Dec. 28 at his home in Ontario, at the age of 64. He was born May 13, 1952, in Ontario.

Gerald was able to use his broad range of expertise to solve problems in a significant number of different subject areas. He enjoyed entertaining people by recounting stories, and as a musician who sang and played the guitar. He worked most of his life as a heavy equipment operator and mechanic, and had his own excavation business. He enjoyed being outdoors, especially near the water, and expressed wonder and connectedness with creation. He had an uncanny ability to communicate with animals and babies, and he was adored by all who knew him.

He is survived by his mother and step-father, Marie (Jackson) Martin and Wayne Martin; brothers, Donald Hite, Jim (Emily) Hite, Jack (Debbie) Hite, and John (Terri) Hite; sisters, Joan Anderson, Faye (Tim) Cooley, and Nancy Smith; four children, Anna (Jeremy) Logan, Angie Merrill, Amanda (Darin) Nygard, and Gerald Hite Jr.; and 10 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Edgar Hite.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Powell Butte Community Center in Powell Butte.