Welcome to
Gray’s West & Co.
Pioneer Chapel
We are here because we care about our families and we feel passionate about helping people in their time of need. As a business you will see us evolve as we respond to the needs of our community. Just know, whatever you need we are here for you, because that is what we love to do.
Pricing & Value
Whether your budget is large or small or are choosing burial or cremation, we believe that our pricing represents the greatest value in our community. Unlike other funeral firms, our family will provide you with an accurate accounting of all costs. No hidden charges, no costly add-ons and as we always have, we will match prices of any local funeral home with our price match guarantee.
An Honorable Mission
Our mission is to create a meaningful ceremony that celebrates a life lived and honors the memory of your loved one with compassion, respect, and dignity. We will provide unparalleled personal service, unmatched facilities, and guaranteed value to every family that calls upon our family.
2016
has been a year of change. The owners of Gray's West and Coles Tribute Center, Dennis and Darlene Teskey, decided to work their way to retirement, which allowed for their son Troy Hanson to purchase both Gray's West and Coles Tribute Center. However, Darlene and Dennis are still working and helping with the ownership transition.
Family & Values
Shortly after the purchase of the business, Troy married Windy Thorne in May of 2016. Windy, originally from La Grande, recently graduated with a Masters degree in Education with a focus on Organizational Development and Human Resource Management. Both Troy and Windy agreed with his 25 years of experience in the industry and her education, they would make a great team.
Life With Kids
Troy and Windy share four crazy kids and between getting to know the ownership side of the business, they are running kids everywhere. Often you might be able to see two of the littlest at the funeral home, playing in the upstairs apartment. If you come into Gray's West and hear little footsteps upstairs that would be the little girls. Feel free to say hi if you see them running around.
Our History
John's Home 1500 Dewey Ave
The Charles A. Johns home, built in 1903 was designed by noted Oregon architect john V. Bennes* and built by local contractor Thomas Grant*. The large three-story wood-frame house of colonial revival style has a roughly dressed stone foundation of volcanic tuff that was quarried at the Grant Quarry of Pleasant Valley. This stone was used extensively in Baker City with the St. Francis Cathedral as an example.
Charles Johns*, the original owner of the home and Mayor of Baker City, aspired to the governorship of the state of Oregon. In anticipation of his election, the rotunda tower veranda with a conical roof was added as an imposing place from which to make his acceptance speech. He hoped to make Baker City the capital of Oregon. Johns was defeated and BakerCounty once again lost it’s bid to bring the state capitol to EasternOregon (Auburn and Pocahontas had previous bids for the state capitol).
After serving as a home for several families, the house was converted to a funeral home (West & Company) in the early 1930s by Earl and Maude West. Maude was the first female funeral director to become licensed in the state of Oregon. Throughout the years the porch has been enclosed; the bracketed eaves, central portico, impressive stairway, multi-colored glass panel bookcases, French doors, and leaded front windows have been preserved. Today the home is owned by Troy & Windy Hanson and is occupied by Gray’s West & CompanyPioneer Chapel. It is the oldest funeral home in Eastern Oregon dating back to1887 when it was known as Welch and Company. The Johns home continues to house living quarters on the third floor.
*Czechoslovakian architect John Bennes later moved to Western Oregon and became the architect for the Oregon System of Higher Education.
*Tom Grant was the contractor on all Mr. Bennes’ work but he would not leave Baker to move to Portland as Bennes requested.
*Charles Johns and his family came to Baker City in 1888. Mr. Johns practiced law with the firm of Hyde, Johns, and Olmsted. Other partners were Charles F. Hyde, the husband of Molly Packwood, the first white child born in Auburn and M.L. Olmsted, retired judge of the Sixth Judicial District. Although Mr. Johns never became Governor, he became Associate Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court and in 1921 was appointed Chief Justice of the Philippines.
