Lauren Hill, devoted husband, father and avid golfer passed away peacefully into heaven at his home on March 26, 2025, surrounded by his beloved family.
Lauren was born in Portland, Oregon on August 6, 1938 to his parents Henry Paul Hill, Sr. and Melvina (Johnson) Hill, joining his older brother Paul and big sister Melva.
In 1947, when Lauren was about 9 years old, he moved with his family to Boring, Oregon. Lauren spent most of his childhood growing up there among the giant fir trees and playing with his dog Rex. He attended Boring Grade School and graduated from Sandy Union High School in 1956.
In high school, Lauren excelled in athletics participating in basketball and baseball. His batting average of .750 still stands to this day at the high school, as a testimony to his athleticism and skill. A skill that was honed by hitting pinecones with an old broom stick his mom had tossed in the barn. People would ask him what the secret was to his high batting average. "I just meet the ball," was his answer. Always humble, that was Lauren.
Shortly after Lauren graduated from Sandy High School, he bought a '56 Ford and drove from Boring to his night job at Safeway on Swan Island. He continued working for Safeway and eventually became the Day Manager of the Safeway Grocery Distribution Center in Clackamas, Oregon where he earned the nickname, "Mad Dog" because of his untamed eyebrows. He retired from Safeway in 1998 after a 42 year career.
In 1958 he met and fell in love with Priscilla Cooke. They were married in 1959 at the Wings of Healing Church in Portland, Oregon. They lived in Portland raising their five children until 1969 when they purchased land and moved to Sandy, near Aims, Oregon. There Lauren raised hogs and chickens and cultivated a small tree farm, while still working at Safeway.
In the 1960s Lauren was active in Oregon's State Horseshoe Pitching Club. Again, his athletic skills were highlighted when in 1964 he won first place in the Oregon Horseshoe Pitching State Championship. He continued to compete in horseshoe tournaments well into the 1970s.
Lauren's true passion was golf. Lauren entered many tournaments and continued to play his favorite sport to the end of his life. His kind and generous spirit encouraged many new-comers to the sport and he assisted those less skilled and even the physically challenged. "God loves golfers," he was known to say. And it was true. Somehow the sun always seemed to shine for Lauren on the greens.
As a Christian and follower of Jesus Christ, Lauren attended and served faithfully in several churches. In the late 60s and through the 70's Lauren and his family attended East Hill Four Square Church in Gresham. Then, from 1981 until the present, for nearly 40 years, Lauren and Priscilla attended Living Way Fellowship Church in Sandy. There he served officially as an Elder and Counsel Member.
Lauren is preceded in death by his brother Paul Hill, sister Melva Koch, and beloved daughter Faye Hill Bryant. He is survived by his wife, Priscilla, son Darrell (Lisa) of Sandy, son Brian of Sandy, daughter Dianne Hill of Gresham, and daughter Melanie (Scott) Brain of Sandy, along with his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Lauren will be missed by his family and many friends. His sense of humor and humble, caring spirit will be his legacy. We dearly miss him already.
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A Celebration of Lauren's Life will be held at the Living Way Fellowship Church in Sandy, Oregon at 1:00 pm on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025. All are welcome.