July 21, 1941 - August 14, 2025
Judy Lanter, a long-time resident of Forest Grove passed away on August 14th, 2025, with her family around her. She is survived by her husband of 47 years Dwight Lanter of Forest Grove. Sisters Evelyn – CA, Joann (Richard) Sproul - Salem, Bonnie King – Parkdale, Vickie (Bob) Johnson – Portland and Brother Jerry Cody – Salem. Their combined children Dwight Lanter – McMinnville, Melody Lanter – Forest Grove, Mike (Angie) Lanter)- Forest Grove, Judy (Jim) King – Vernonia, Joni (Randy) Copley – Forest Grove, and Bill (Nicole) Bratton Glendale AZ. 15 Grandchildren 4 Great Grandchildren, and 1 on the way due in Oct. 2025. She has several nieces and nephews.
Judy was born July 21st, 1941, in Forest Grove OR to Esther & Glen Cody, she was the youngest of 5 children. Evelyn was Glen’s daughter from an earlier relationship. Jerry, Jan and Joann along with Judy were referred to by their cousins as the 4 J’s. They later moved to Carlton OR where Ester & Glen divorced. After this Esther and the kids lived a short time there, before moving to Cottage Grove Or. This is where Judy started first grade and spent her childhood. Esther met and married Bob Bullock, he had 2 daughters from his first marriage, Bonnie & Vickie. The Girls spent summers with the family, they also welcomed 2 daughters, Roberta & Mary. Bob’s family were members of the Seventh Day Adventist church; they also joined that faith.
Judy graduated high school at Laurelwood SDA boarding school in Gaston Or, after high school she was a candy striper at Shriners Hospital in Portland. After that she returned to Cottage Grove where her family still lived. She met and married Lewis William Bratton Jr. They welcomed Judy Jo in 1962 in Walla Walla WA, and then in 1963 Joni was born in Pendleton, OR. Bill worked for Harris Pine, he was transferred several times while working for them, and the family moved a lot. The last transfer was to Laurelwood in Gaston OR. The family settled in Forest Grove, Or and then Billy was born in 1970. Judy was a homemaker taking care of her children, as well as a neighbor boy the same age as Billy. She also did laundry and ironing for other families. When Judy & Joni were in school, and Billy was able to go to daycare Judy started working at Woodfold Marco in Forest Grove. Bill & Judy decided to divorce after 15 years of marriage.
Judy still worked at Woodfold Marco as the supervisor of the glue room where they made chopping blocks and bread boards. She met Dwight Lanter, they dated for 2 years and on July 15, 1978, they married and have been married for the last 47 years. They both retired from Woodfold and have traveled for the last 36 years living full time in their RV. They have visited family and made friends along the way. They spent time in CA, AZ and TX. Also, gold mining in Yukon territory.
Judy & Dwight have had a life full of good times and adventures. Everyone that had the privilege of knowing Judy loves and misses her.
