Arba Fay Stearns, known as Fay, passed away on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at the age of 91. He was born September 21, 1918 in Oakland, Oregon, while his father was serving our country in France during WWI. He was the son of James Edwin and Harriet (Purdy) Stearns. He was raised in the home built by his family in 1914 on Second Street. The house still stands today. Fay attended the Oakland Public Schools and later graduated from the University Of Oregon Business School. He then joined Stearns Hardware in Oakland. He was united in marriage to Ruth Young in 1941 in Oakland. When WWII broke out, Fay served our country in the US Army, serving in the European Theatre from 1943 to 1946. After the war he returned to Oakland and continued working at the hardware store until he retired. Fay served his community for 65 years as a fireman, former Fire Chief and as a board member of the Oakland Rural Fire District. He also enjoyed hunting but his real love was fly fishing on the Calapooya and Umpqua Rivers. Fay was a lifelong member of the Community Presbyterian Church in Oakland. He also was a member of the Oakland Lions Club as well as the Veterans Of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. Fay was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, a daughter, Mary and his younger brother, Jim. He is survived by his son Bill Stearns and his wife Anne of Oakland and a daughter, Peggy Stanley and her husband, Scott of Portland. He also leaves his brother, Bob Stearns and his wife Louise of Oakland and a sister in law, Opal Stearns Graham of Sutherlin. He was blessed with two grandson, Alan Stearns and his wife Heidi and Brent Stearns as well nieces, nephews and other relatives. Memorial services will be held at the Community Presbyterian Church in Oakland at 2:00 pm, Saturday, May 1, 2010 with Pastor Kathleen Brinegar officiating. Private interment will be at the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Oakland, with military rites offered by the VFW District Twelve Honor Guard. Memorial donations can be made to the Oakland Rural Fire District or the Oakland Presbyterian Church.