Michael Arther Cairns

Michael Arthur Cairns, 76, a nearly 50-year resident of Independence, died of cancer June 21, 2024, at home with his family attending. He was born March 11, 1948, in Jefferson, Iowa, to the late Joline Louise Elliott Cairns LeBaron, and Merle Arnold Cairns. His wife, a brother, four children, seven grandchildren and many other beloved relatives and friends survive him.

His early years were spent in Farlin near Jefferson, Iowa, where he attended country schools until he was in 5th grade. His family moved to Jefferson to live with his grandparents Charles and Iva Elliott where he attended schools until he was 17, participating in 4-H, working in the corn and soybean fields, joining the track and football teams and serving as Jefferson High School sophomore class president. In 1965, he moved to Fremont, California, where he lived with family friends. He graduated in 1966 from Misson San Jose High School and began general studies in biology at Chabot Junior College in Hayward, California.

In 1967 he married Jackie Blattner, mother of their daughter, Bootsie Cairns Grakal. The couple divorced in 1970. He worked at Hayward Field Airport while attending college classes and joining peace marches and rallies in the Berkley area. In 1973, he married Pam Selan, mother of their daughter Emmylou Cairns Boyle. He graduated in 1974 from San Jose State College with a major in zoology.

The couple moved to Oregon in 1974, living briefly in Corvallis before settling in Independence, where Emmylou was born in 1979. The couple divorced in 1985.

Michael began work in 1975 as a scientist for the Environmental Protection Agency in Corvallis, where he remained until retirement in 2006, writing oft-cited papers on that began in the 1980s warning of activities that impacted global climate changes. He joined the Independence City Council in 1979, working on many local and state projects and committees until 1989. In 1980 he earned a Master of Science degree from Oregon State University and remained an avid Beaver Believer for the rest of his life. In 1992, he earned a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from Western Oregon University.

He married Gail Oberst in 1989, mother of their son, Will Oberst Cairns.

His public service and dedication to environmental and local issues is extensive. He helped establish the Luckiamute Watershed Council in 1999 and after retirement, was its first manager. Among his many projects during his tenure with the LWC was to work with the City of Independence in 2010 to create a wetland along the western border of its sport park. Today, the wetland thrives with native trees and shrubs, inviting birds and other wildlife. He also helped restore city land along Ash Creek which now serves as OSU Extension’s Inspiration Gardens.

In 2020, he helped establish the Monmouth-Independence Climate Change group, promoting local efforts to improve the environment.

Since arriving in Independence, he has also been an active member of many charitable organizations including the BPOE 1950 Elks, Central Lions Club, Monmouth-Independence Community Fund, and the Independence Historic Preservation Committee. As a member of these organizations his recent projects have included classroom grants to teachers and raising money for the Ella Curran Food Bank.

Survivors include his brother, Chris Cairns of Salem, his son Will Oberst Cairns of Seattle, his daughters and their families - Bootsie and Zack Grakal and their children Luke and Sage of Los Angeles, and Emmylou and Chris Boyle and their children, Ally and Caden, of Tualatin. His extended family includes Gail’s son and family, Justus and Miriam Eibach and their children, Lilli, Henry and Emma, of Germany.

To honor Michael, donate in his name to one or both of two groups: The Luckiamute Watershed Council’s Education Fund, which will be used to create an educational display at the wetlands he helped create; or to the Central Lions Club, which will be use funds to support the new Ella Curran Food Bank construction among other projects.

Friends and family are welcome at an open house celebration of Michael’s life beginning at 4 p.m. Friday July 12 at the Cairns-Oberst home. For information, visit Gail’s Facebook event page, or e-mail her, gailoberst@yahoo.com.