Wallace Jay Rainsberry, Sr, a long time resident of the UmpquaValley, died on Saturday, February 1, 2014 of acute renal failure. Wally was born the third son to the late Cecil “Doc” and Opal Rainsberry in Eureka, Montana on March 30, 1935.

Wally graduated from high school in Oroville, Wash.. Following high school Wally served in the US Army. Wally married Jackie Bonnell and they had three children, Wallace Jr., Debra and Dennise.

Wally spent 34 years with the US Forest Service. He was responsible for overseeing the construction of hundreds of miles of trails in the Umpqua National Forest, but was most proud of the work he did locating the Pacific Crest Trail. The favorite part of his job was spending time on horseback in the forest.

Wally’s first love was horses. He started training horses for money at 13 years in fact broke his first bronc at that time. He was a cowboy at heart and lived the life of a cowboy as best he could. He had a smile and a laugh that melted many a cowgirl’s heart. From rodeos to show arenas, cattle gatherings and mountain trails, anywhere there were horses, you’d likely find Wally and folks that knew and loved him and the many horses he had trained. Wally has always been big-hearted, kind, fun-loving, off-color, irreverent, tough and stubborn.

He is a lifetime member of the Douglas County Mounted Posse, and founded the Roseburg Chapter of Oregon Equestrian Trails.

Wally is preceded in death by his son, Wallace, Jr. and a granddaughter, Raechel Barnard, and three brothers. He is survived by his sister, Donna (Virgil) Forney of Yakima, Wash.; his daughters Debby (Jon) Rainsberry-Barnard of Rouge River, Ore. and Dennise Turner of Whitefish, Mont.; granddaughters Celina Rose Turner and Sarah Barnard; great-grandson, Tucker Barnard; and 14 nieces and nephews.

There will be a Celebration of Life on March 29th at the Poco Loco Ranch, in Melrose, Or.

“I grew up a dreamin’ of bein’ a cowboy and lovin’ the cowboy ways.”

Happy Trails to You, Until We Meet Again…