May 3, 1929 – July 21, 2019
Iris Louise Sperry passed away at Asante Rogue Reginal Medical Center in Medford, Oregon on July 21, 2019, at the age of 90. She was born in Portland, Oregon on May 3, 1929 to Lila Ann (née Hunt) Thompson and John Gordon Thompson. She was the youngest of three sisters. Iris’s early years were spent along the Columbia River in the cities of St. Helens (Oregon) and on a mink farm near Deer Island (Oregon). As a child, she was known as “Little Idie,” and while she sang off key, her father use to pay her 10 cents a song to sing to him because she was just so cute! Her dear companion and playmate during these years was her first cousin, Harriet Walters.
During high school, Iris moved with her parents to Portland, Oregon where she graduated from Lincoln High School in 1947. She then attended Oregon State University, University of Oregon, and graduated from Oregon College of Education (Now Western Oregon University) in 1951 with a BA and teaching certificate. The next year, 1951-1952, Iris taught a 3rd and 4th grade class in Warren, Oregon, where she was beloved by her students.
In June, 1952, Iris married the love of her life, Roger Strother, in Portland, Oregon. The newlyweds then moved to Athens, Greece where Roger worked for the government. While there Iris gave birth to their first child, Nancy, in January, 1954. Upon their return to the states, they welcomed their second child, Neil, in September, 1955, in Portland, Oregon. The family then moved to the Washington, D.C. area, Los Angeles, and returned to the Pacific Northwest in the summer of 1959. The tragic death of Roger Strother occurred in October, 1960.
Iris remained a widow, raising two children for eight years, when love struck again, and she married Roger Sperry in November, 1968. They moved to Ketchikan, Alaska in 1976 for 8 years returning to Portland, Oregon in 1984 due to Rogers’s failing health. Roger Sperry died in June, 1988. Iris remained in Portland until her final move to Jacksonville, Oregon, in December, 1999, where she created a new life and has many friends in the Rogue River Valley. Beginning in 1961, she was a devoted member of a church: St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Beaverton, Oregon (1961-1976, 1984-2000), First Lutheran Church, Ketchikan, Alaska (1976-1984), and Jacksonville Presbyterian Church (2000-2019). Iris loved life and lived it to the fullest all of her 90 years. She loved to golf and travel. She was an avid college football fan and did her crossword puzzles each day. She was an excellent cook, especially when it came to the pies she made from scratch. Warmth and hospitality, along with a smiling face and open heart, characterized this beloved daughter, sister, aunt, mother, cousin, and friend. Iris will be dearly missed by family and friends alike.
Iris is preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, William Roger (Roger) Strother, and second husband, Roger Wayne (Roger) Sperry; sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary Thompson Jones (Andy), Ruth Thompson Johnson (Bill); sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Francis and Patrick Cooke, Jr., Marie and John Sperry; nephew, Jeffrey Strother, and niece, Janet Jean Johnson.
Iris is survived by her brother-in-law Phil Strother and sister-in-law Robbie Volpel. Her two children and their spouses, Nancy Strother Andrews (Frank), Neil Strother (Jennifer). Five grandchildren, Frank Andrews, Jr., Allison Strother (Sean Morris), Rachel Reidinger (Mike), Amie Cardwell, and Tim Strother (Sophia Infante). Five great-grandchildren Alyssa Sluder, Trey Andrews, Miley Andrews, Brook Shaw, and Lexi Metts. Iris was a beloved aunt and is survived by nieces and nephews Cathi Lombardo (Tom), Vickie Johnson, Andy Jones (Subongkot), Bill Johnson, Mike Jones (Kristine), Andy Strother, and Sally Strother, plus many great nieces and nephews. Finally, Iris is survived by her dearest friend, Shirley Blaul.
The family wishes to extend a special “thank you” to all of the staff at Pioneer Village, Jacksonville, where Iris lived for the past two years; thank you for your caring and love. And also a special “thank you” to the staff at Asante Rogue Reginal Medical Center especially Dr. Bauer, and nurses, Jason and Ken. To our family and friends, we appreciate all of you and your prayers and love at this time. It means so much to us.
The Memorial Service for Iris was held on Saturday, July 27, 2019 at Jacksonville Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Dustin Jernigan officiating.