Chris Lynn Daugherty passed away Oct. 24 in Enterprise.

Chris was born Sept. 11, 1956, in Burns to Curtis and Jean (Wolverton) Daugherty.

He grew up in Burns and attended Burns schools, graduating from Burns Union High School in 1976. Chris participated in sports all throughout school. He played football, participated in track, and still holds the shot put record for Lincoln Junior High. In high school, he played football, wrestled, participated in track all four years, and boxed his senior year. Shortly after graduation, he joined the Navy and was stationed on a dry dock in San Diego, Calif. He was transferred to Adak, Alaska, where he was a fireman on the crash crew.

He returned to Burns after serving in the Navy for three years. He worked for Stan Bennett’s 76 bulk plant as a truck driver and delivered fuel all over Harney County. He then worked at Modern Laundry. He drove once a week to John Day, and, during the winter, it wasn’t unusual to drive through Seneca at 35 below zero. He also worked at the lumber mill in Hines, starting with Snow Mountain Pine and continuing to work as the business transitioned to Tecton and then to Louisiana Pacific.

In September 1980, he started dating Schelly Basey, and they were married the following July. At the time of Chris’ death, they had been married 37 years. Chris and Schelly have three sons, Joshua, Justin, and Jordan. The family spent most of their free time camping, fishing, and hunting. Chris passed on his love of the outdoors, which he learned growing up in Harney County.

Another family activity was participating in the Blackpowder Rendezvous. Chris built his .50 caliber rifle and a smooth bore rifle as well. The family traveled all over Oregon attending Seneca, Bend, Prineville, Gilchrist, and Yellowjacket shoots. These were some of his favorite times.

Chris had a life-change in 1995, and after multiple hospitalizations, he was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. This disorder imprisoned his mind for the last 23 years. Chris had emergency surgery on Oct. 17 that revealed bleeding ulcers, which required two more immediate surgeries. During the third procedure, he suffered heart failure and was revived. The next few days, he was very lucid and was more interactive than he had been for years. On Oct. 24, he was discharged to return to the group home where he resided. Within half an hour of returning to Enterprise, his heart failed again, and this time, he went home for his eternal homecoming.

Chris is survived by wife, Schelly; sons, Josh of Portland, Justin of Hines, and Jordan of Hines; grandchildren, Wyatt, Tashi, Ella, Mia, Weslie, and Zachary; mother, Jean Bennett; brother, Benny Daugherty; sister, Julie Benzen; stepsister, Debbie Bennett; and many nieces and nephews and other family members.

He was preceded in death by father, Curtis Daugherty; stepfather, Dene Bennett; brother, Anthony Daugherty; and stepbrother, David Bennett.

Donations in Chris’ memory may be made to the Burns-Hines Flower Pot Project, in care of LaFollette’s Chapel in Burns.