Edward Anthony Tarnasky, age 76, passed away suddenly on December 8, 2025 in Heppner,Oregon.

Ed was born at the Old Adventist Hospital in Portland, Oregon on February 24, 1949, the fourth of five children. His parents, Anthony J Tarnasky and Anna F. Tarnasky often proclaimed that he was the most colicky baby they had ever been exposed to. He attended Woodstock Grade School and graduated from Cleveland High School in 1967. He then spent a year at Portland State University. During his senior year in high school and his freshman year at Portland State he worked in the Pharmacy at Emanuel Hospital where he met his future wife, Sheridan.

Ed then entered the U.S. army and did his Medic training at Fort Antonio, Texas. He graduated at the top of his medic class and was deployed to Camp Casey, South Korea. While in Korea, he was exposed to Agent Orange which was thought to play a significant role in his health problems in later years.

On his return for deployment, Ed and Sheridan married on September 5, 1970, for a marriage that lasted 55 years, until his death.

They moved to Portland where Ed attended Mount Hood Community College graduating with an Associate Degree in Forestry, graduating second in his class.

Ed was a successful Forester who started his working career as a log scaler, eventually becoming the head Resource Manager for Kinzua Corporation eventually retiring as the general manager at Blue Mountain Forest Products.

He was a very active committee member in establishing the State Forest Act in the 1980's. During his early years in Heppner in served as a trustee for the Heppner Elks #358. He served on the Heppner City Planning Commission and as a Board Member for Columbia Basin Electric Co-op. He also spent a short time as a Volunteer Ambulance Driver for Pioneer Memorial Hospital.

He valued intelligence, had an impeccable work ethic and unspoken compassion that shined through. He was an avid reader and believed in education in self and others. As a forester he told his son that if you screw up, you will not only see it for your lifetime, but you are leaving those mistakes for the next generation. He considered the forest a resource to be extracted, but also as his responsibility to steward for future generations.

Two of his favorite summers after retirement were when he was responsible for managing the YCC program, he so enjoyed working with the youth.

Ed was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hunting and fishing and spent hours in his beloved Blue Mountains with several trips to Alaska with his son, his lifelong friend, Dave Hass and other friends and family.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents Tony and Ann Tarnasky; his brother Dr. John Tarnasky; his sister Joanne Mattson and a niece Wendy Tarnasky.

He is survived by his sister, Gay Sherwood, Portland. His brother, George Tarnasky (Karen), Portland. His wife of 55 years, Sheridan; his son Anthony J Tarnasky "AJ" (Heather) of The Dalles; daughter Alecia C. Angell (Craig) of Athena; 3 grandchildren Grace E. Tarnasky, Jack A. Tarnasky and Delaynee I. Angell. He was also graced with 3 great-grandchildren, Cass, Dominic and August. Several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Ed's Life will be held on May 16, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. in his beloved Blue Mountains at Cutsforth Park. Casual attire, please.

Donations in Ed's memory can be made to the Autism Society of Oregon, 9320 S.W. Barbur Blvd., Suite 240, Portland, Oregon 97219 or to a Charity of your choice.

Sweeney Payton Mortuary has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please leave your condolences for the family below.