Timber Valley SKP Park of Oregon, Inc

Submitted by Ruby Bonham

Timber Valley is saddened at the passing of Norman Fitch, Lot 126 on January 24, 2026.

Norman was born on August 24, 1932. He started dating Carolyn Pitts in 1948 and they married in 1950. He studied at a bible college in Minnesota and became a minister in 1958. In 1975 he became a district rep for Village Missions. He served in Sitkum, Oregon, Tensed, Idaho, Dunlap, Iowa, Kremmling, Colorado, Bandon, Oregon, and Sunnyside, Oregon. He traveled in a motor home while serving Village Missions. Carolyn passed away January 9, 1989 after a short illness. Norman then reunited with Phyllis and they were married July 7, 1990. They continued the mission work traveling in the motor home. After retirement they got their lot in Timber Valley March 29, 2006. Norman performed Memorial services in the clubhouse for members who had passed.

Phyllis passed away October 11, 2025 here at home with the care of Norman’s daughter, Roxie. After Phyllis passed, Norman’s health declined. He was able to stay at home here in Timber Valley due to the loving care of his two daughters, Roxie and Jackie. He is remembered as a loving, caring person, a good husband and father.

He is survived by his two daughters, Roxie Fitch and Jackie Fitch. Roxie remains here in the park on lot 120.

Submitted by Ruby Bonham

Timber Valley is saddened at the passing of one of the last founding members of Timber Valley. Norman Sherman of Lot 161 passed away in his home on January 20, 2026.

Norman was born August 24, 1931 in Los Angeles, California. Norm was a machinist during his working years. Norm and his wife Barbara were here at the beginning of Timber Valley. Mary Regan and her now deceased husband, Mike, came for a few days to help out. Norm set them up next to him in town where the workers were boon docking. Norm showed them around and made them welcome. There was much laborious work to be done. The group had acquired a Ditch Witch to dig the many ditches needed. No one knew how to run it. Barb spoke up and said she could. Her Daddy had taught her. She became the official operator. Norm was a human measuring rod due to his short stature. Many laughs were shared as he was sometimes held head down to measure the depth. Work progressed and finally on September 3, 1990, they received Lot 161 after a drawing for lots.

Both Norm and Barb were avid fishermen. In 1995 Norm, Barb and a couple named Dean and PJ started an RV fishing club called Roving Rods. Since Norm didn’t want to be responsible for the club news letter, Dean and PJ became members 1 and 2 with Norm and Barb being 3 and 4. Ed Bonham designed the logo and was friends with Norm, Barb, Dean and PJ for many years. He became a Timber Valley park member in 2015 and renewed his friendship with Norm and Barb. A lot of time was spent fishing and reminiscing. Norm had a Bounder motor home the traveled in, exploring and fishing across the country. Finally the Bounder was parked in the storage area where a family of skunks moved in. When Norm finally sold the rig to a young couple he cautioned them to service and replace some of the wires and hoses before venturing out. They didn’t listen and soon after they left the Bounder caught fire and was destroyed.

Norm was very involved with the Landscape Committee and was an organic gardener. Gardening and working in his dirt was a lifelong passion. Many people in the park benefited from his vast knowledge. He was always willing to share his knowledge and the fruits (and vegetables) of his labor.

Norm was also a firm believer in the benefits of taking Colloidal Silver for good health. As a result his skin turned blue, earning him the affectionate name “the blue man”. Norm had a good sense of humor and just laughed and kept on being blue. He was a regular participant in the Saturday Morning Coffee and Donuts where he would entertain with his stories. Due to declining health, Barbara became a resident of Chantele’s Loving Touch Memory Care in downtown Sutherlin. Norm remained at home on Lot 161. He could not bear to leave his beloved gardens. Barbara is doing well and receiving excellent care.

Norm is survived by his wife Barbara and his dirt he devoted thirty plus years to.

Anyone who has been in Timber Valley for awhile knew Norm and probably has a story to tell. If you have a story please feel free to share it in the Comments section. Norm will always be remembered with love and laughter. He was definitely one of a kind and is greatly missed.