Obituary: Gayla Harnar

After graduation, she moved out of the state and while living in Clear Lake, California, she met her future husband, Phillip Harnar. The two were married in 1969 in Jasper, Texas, during Phillip’s military service. Gayla returned to the Hood River valley while Phillip was deployed, holding down the home front with strength and grace.

Gayla devoted her career to serving her community and helping children. She worked for many years as a school bus driver for Hood River County and later as a beloved teacher's aide at Pine Grove Elementary School.

A woman of many talents and passions, Gayla loved landscaping, gardening, painting, sewing, crafting and reading a good book — mostly Christian love stories. She also enjoyed traveling and was an active churchgoer throughout her life. Her warmth, creativity, and kindness touched many lives and left a lasting legacy in her family and community.

Above all, Gayla’s greatest joy in life was being a mother, she loved her four sons — Ricky, Loren, London, and Scotty — with unwavering devotion. She poured her heart into raising them with kindness, strength and an enduring sense of compassion. Her pride in their accomplishments and her support through every stage of their lives was a constant reflection of her deep and unconditional love. Gayla cherished the outdoors and passed that love on to her sons, teaching them to appreciate the beauty of nature and the importance of respecting it. She especially enjoyed the time spent together hunting — more than a pastime, it was a tradition. Gayla’s heart was fullest when surrounded by her sons. She was a devoted mother and her love for them was the foundation of her life.

While Gayla deeply loved her sons, she also cherished her grandchildren and great-granddaughters with all her heart. She took great pride in each of them, celebrating their milestones, encouraging their dreams, and always offering a warm hug or a listening ear. Her great-granddaughters, Kayleigh and Reagan, held a special place in her heart and brought her endless joy and laughter. Family was the center of Gayla’s world, and the love she gave so freely will live on through each generation.

In the kitchen, Gayla had a true gift. She loved to can and preserve food — from her garden, her sons’ hunting and fishing trips, and valley orchards. She found joy in cooking for her family, and her homemade pies and cakes were legendary. She especially took pride in baking beautiful wedding cakes for family and friends — a loving tradition fondly remembered.

Gayla had a special fondness for the holidays, especially Christmas. She delighted in decorating and painting festive scenes on her windows — cheerful displays that brought joy to everyone who passed by.

Her love for animals was a constant in her life. She shared close bonds with her horse Soledo, Great Dane Tundra, parrot Pepper, Highland cow Amy, and her beloved poodles Le Pet and Traveler. But it was Ginger, her poodle and constant companion, who held her heart. Gayla rarely went anywhere without Ginger by her side.

Gayla was preceded in death by her son Loren Harnar; husband Phillip Harnar; parents Odie and Mildred Goss; siblings Earlene Short, Elenor Rice-Burdick, and Gilbert “Bucky” Goss; and other beloved family members.

She is survived by her sons Ricky Senter (Shelly) of Independence, Missouri,  London Harnar (Julie) of Wasilla, Alaska, and Scotty Harnar (Erika) of Troutdale, Oregon; grandchildren Kayla Nixon, Kenton Harnar, Klarissa Hemphill (Jacob), Kelsey Harnar, Chelsea Pardo, Kimber Sorsby (Will), and Tristin Harnar; great-granddaughters Kayleigh and Reagan Nixon and Aurora Harnar; siblings Bert Goss (Leona), Phillip Goss, Carol Dewalt, and Kelsey Goss (Roylene); sister-in-law Carol Goss; and many other dear relatives and friends.

Gayla’s love, creativity, and strength left a lasting legacy. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who were fortunate to know her.

The family warmly invites all who knew and loved Gayla to a Celebration of Life in her honor on Saturday, Aug. 30 at 2 p.m. at her home, 6370 Miller Road, Mt. Hood, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hospice of Oregon in appreciation of their compassionate care.