The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG-To have an impact in the community that others take notice of, yet remain quietly behind the scenes, is what Louie and Marie Gagnon do, day after day. The Gagnons will uncharacteristically be front and center as this year's Waitsburg Celebration Day's Parade Marshals. The Celebration Days parade committee selected the couple for their years of volunteerism and service in the Waitsburg community, including their involvement with the Weller Public Library, Waitsburg Town Hall, and the Waitsburg Lion's Club.

Louie and Marie's families established deep roots as they made the valley their home. A fifth-generation resident, Louie grew up on McKay Alto Road. He raised sheep in 4H and FFA as a youth. He graduated from Waitsburg High School with the Class of 1970. Marie's great-grandmother's family settled in Milton-Freewater after enduring hardships as they traversed the Oregon Trail. Marie grew up in Walla Walla. She graduated from Wa-Hi with the Class of 1974.  Growing up, she was a member of 4H and has always loved horses and gardening.

Marie and Louie married in 1977 and began their life together in Waitsburg, completing the construction of their custom home in 1986. They welcomed their sons Jarod in 1983 and Mitch in 1985. Marie worked at the Waitsburg Post Office as a rural route carrier, retiring in 2015. Louie retired from the Port of Walla Walla as a Water Distribution Manager at the Walla Walla Airport in 2017. He also worked for the City of Waitsburg and volunteered at the Waitsburg Fire Department.

Over the years, the Gagnons proved two are better than one. They are at their best working and volunteering together, whether driving wheat trucks and pea combines, serving on boards, cleaning, landscaping, or supporting area non-profits.

The Gagnons have been on the Waitsburg Town Hall board since 2019 and are active members of the Waitsburg Presbyterian Church. The couple were honored by the Waitsburg Commercial Club with the 2020 Citizens of the Year Award after being nominated by Jim Davison.

Louie has been in the Lions Club for over 35 years, served as Lion's Club President, and is a board member. He was awarded the prestigious Lions Club's Melvin Jones Award for outstanding service. Marie serves on the Weller Public Library Board of Trustees.

As noted with their nomination,"You can find both Louie and Marie working diligently for our community but always behind the scenes, never drawing attention to themselves."