Gary Duane
Hill, 1952-2023
Patricia Lucy Jenkins
Hill, 1951-2002
Gary Duane Hill died Dec. 3, 2023, in Eugene, Oregon, of natural causes. He was 71 years old.
Gary was born on April 7, 1952, in Eugene, to Virgil (Bus) and Doris Hill.
He spent his early years in Junction City, Oregon, and the family moved to Eugene in 1958. He attended Eugene schools, graduating in 1970 from Willamette High School.
While studying at Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon, Gary pledged Pi Kappa Alpha and enjoyed Greek life on campus and continued to support the fraternity throughout his life.
At college he met the love of his life, Patricia Lucy Jenkins of Mission Hills, California. She was a member of Sigma Kappa Phi sorority. Her Linfield bachelor of arts degree in history and social studies was conferred May 21, 1972.
Her Linfield senior honors thesis -- an in depth study of a Baptist missionary and wife who served in India, 1852-1899 -- was honored by several colleges and theological seminaries.
Gary graduated from Linfield with a major in political science and a minor in communications. His degree was conferred May 12, 1974.
Pat earned a master of library science, major librarianship, degree from the University of Oregon on June 9, 1974. From Portland State University, Pat earned a master of science in teaching (M.S.T.) degree in history on Dec. 12, 1978.
Gary and Pat married July 10, 1976, in Alice Flanagan Chapel on the campus of Lewis and Clark College in Portland. An Oregonian story in 1984 quotes Gary as saying about their marriage: “Without seeming fatuous, I’d say we have a good thing going.”
The “good thing going” included the fact Gary and Pat were the much loved "cool" aunt and uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Gary served as press secretary for Congressman Jim Weaver, working out of Salem. From there he worked briefly for Eugene television station KVAL before Gary and Pat moved to Portland, Oregon.
He worked at station KPTV in Portland for 16 years (1976-1992) as 10 p.m. news anchor.
Pat’s career included serving as technical writing manager for Test Systems Strategies, Inc. in Beaverton, and as a Gresham School District media specialist.
Pat loved baking. For example, at age 15 she entered a fancy decorated cake in competition at the Los Angeles County Fair.
At home in Portland she baked shortbread and brought some to work in Beaverton. A work colleague of Scottish descent praised it. “I know shortbread,” the colleague told Pat, “This is the best shortbread this side of Scotland.”
Other friends and family encouraged Pat’s baking acumen.
In 1987, Pat and Gary launched the McTavish brand of shortbread in Portland and the surrounding area. McTavish delicacies were popular in many Oregon markets, and at the Highland games.
As chief executive officer of the McTavish Company, she did everything. “I used to see Pat driving a McTavish truck in Murrayhill in Beaverton,” said Lynne Davies Humble, Linfield Class of 1972. She was Pat’s best friend in college and they were members of each other’s wedding parties.
Pat made McTavish deliveries herself. While driving, Lynne saw Pat on Murray Road frequently. “I’d pull up beside her truck and we’d both pull over to talk,” said Lynne.
In 1993 Pat and Gary sold the McTavish Company.
A few years later tragedy befell them.
Pat – the daughter of Robert and Lucy Jenkins, born Jan. 28, 1951, in Los Angeles – died at age 51 on Nov. 5, 2002, from complications following liver transplant surgery at Stanford Hospital.
While still anchoring the evening news for KPTV, Gary studied at Northwestern School of Law, Lewis and Clark College, Portland. He graduated from law school in 1981 and passed the Oregon bar.
Soon thereafter, he left TV news and practiced law (estate planning) with a law firm in Oregon City, Oregon, for more than 11 years. After that he opened the Law Office of Gary D. Hill in Lake Oswego, Oregon, handling family law for more than 20 years. A few years after retiring, he moved back to Eugene to be near family.
Gary is remembered for his intelligence, sense of humor and infectious laugh, and love of animals. His laugh didn't come as frequently after losing Pat, and he missed her dearly the past 20 years. His family was grateful he returned to Eugene and their loving embrace.
Preceding him in death were Pat, his parents, Virgil (Bus) and Doris Hill; and his brother, Donald (Raye) Hill. Surviving him were his sister, Marilyn Hill-Thielke of Eugene; 11 nieces and nephews; 13 great-nieces and nephews; six great-great nieces and nephews, and his longtime friend and care giver, Tracey "T" Towler.
In accordance with Gary's wishes, a scholarship will be set up at Linfield to fund the ‘Patricia and Gary Hill Scholarship in History.’
Gary and Pat are interred at West Lawn Memorial Park in Eugene.
A celebration of life for Gary is planned for Aug. 25, 2024, at Shadow Hills Country Club, Junction City, from 1 to 4 p.m. Please RSVP at GaryHillCelebration@gmail.com.
Updated May 26, 2024
Sources: Obituaries, news stories, comments of friends.
