Klamath Basin residents share what makes their dads — and the father figures in their lives — special this Father's Day.
On Support and Pride
"There are many attributes about my dad that have helped make me who I am today. The fact that he has always supported and expressed how proud he is of me has always been a guide in my confidence in whatever I have chosen to accomplish. I appreciate and love my dad very much!"
— Kurt Lonner, Educator at Ponderosa Middle School, honoring his dad Terry Lonner
On a 55-Year-Old Marathoner
"It is an honor to call Larry Jespersen my dad, and for my children to be able to call him 'Papa.' He started running at age 55 and didn't stop until he had run a marathon on every continent. That's the speed and charisma he has always lived with. He has been a model of hard work, integrity, and friendship. The most valuable lessons I have learned from him are to be kind to everyone, there are no enemies, and treat others as though you may need to ask them for help some day. To say he is one of the best is an understatement. Happy Father's Day, Peaches!"
— Cheri Jespersen, Owner of Almond Aesthetic Medicine, honoring her dad Larry Jespersen
That story — a man starting marathon running at 55 and running one on every continent — captures what's possible at any age.
On Sole Parenting Through Loss
"My dad is a devoted father. When I was 15 years old, my mom passed away from cancer. My dad had to become the sole provider and parent for myself and my three siblings. He worked and provided for all of us and kept us together as a family. He is the strongest…"
— Matt Green, Shipping/Receiving Manager for New Earth Co.
On Work Ethic
"My dad is an incredibly hardworking, loving human with a great sense of humor — who is primarily responsible for my incredible work ethic. There are not enough words to express the love and respect I hold in my heart for him. Happy Father's Day."
— Kelly Caleb, Retired Athletic Trainer for Oregon Tech, honoring her dad Bernard Balsz
On Best Friends and Adventure
"My mom is my partner in crime, she is my best friend and biggest supporter. We love to travel. Every day is an adventure."
— Andy Halda, Senior at Henley High School, Avid Hunter, Golfer & Aspiring Pilot
(Editor's note: while this tribute honors a mom, we kept the entry — Father's Day is also a moment to acknowledge the parental figures of every kind who shape kids' lives.)
On a Klamath Community Pillar
"For anyone that knows my dad, they know he is a pillar of the Klamath Falls community. He has chosen to serve his community through his love and dedication of supporting our youth through sports. Because of this I am proud to call him my father. I hope one day I can be as influential as you, dad. Love you always, your firstborn."
— Ashley Ferns, Paralegal, honoring her dad Sean Ferns
On Pushing Through Challenges
"My father wore many hats as my coach from an early age, setting high expectations for myself and sisters in sports and academically. What I once despised, I now appreciate as he taught me to push through challenges and never quit. He said as long as you give your best, that's all that matters. Even in adulthood, I am forever my daddy's daughter."
— Tanya Cheatham, MA, PCA, KBBH & Place2Heal Therapist · Klamath Living Publisher's Assistant — honoring her dad Lionel Cheatham
On Consistency and Presence
"Consistency is what I have learned from my dad. He has always shown up in my life. There is no other support than having people present and rooting for you. My dad is always there for me and my family. The best gift is watching my dad and mom being present in each phase of my children's lives. My dad can do no wrong in their eyes. Thankful that he makes them feel so loved."
— Klamath Living reader honoring her dad
On Modoc Warrior Heritage
"They called him Rayson Horse Tupper. I am his youngest daughter, Lamina Wach-Thunder Horse, also known as Taylor Tupper. My sister Torina is Medicine Horse. We are horse people. He said since he had two strong daughters, he needed to give us strong warrior names. We grew up on a large ranch in Sprague River. We couldn't have asked for better parents. He and our mother Snookie gave us the foundation that every child needs. My Daddio was a Modoc Warrior, and a descendant of some of the most powerful Modoc leaders in the history of…"
— Taylor Tupper (Lamina Wach-Thunder Horse), honoring her father Rayson Horse Tupper
That tribute — by a daughter of one of the Klamath Tribes' most consequential families, honoring her Modoc warrior father — carries a particular weight. The Klamath Basin's Indigenous heritage threads through Father's Day exactly as it threads through every other dimension of basin life.
What These Tributes Have in Common
Across these tributes — different careers, different family situations, different ages — the common threads:
1. Presence
Every tribute mentions a father who showed up consistently — at games, at performances, at the bedside, in everyday life.
2. Hard Work as Example
Modeling work ethic without lecturing about it. Kids learn what they see.
3. Belief in the Kid
The father who expressed pride, encouragement, and confidence — even when the kid couldn't see their own potential yet.
4. Resilience Through Loss or Difficulty
Sole-parent fathers, military fathers, fathers carrying grief or struggle while still being there for their kids.
5. Cross-Generational Legacy
Many tributes mention how dads became "Papa" or "Grandpa" — with grandchildren now experiencing the same presence, consistency, and love.
What Klamath Basin Fathers Can Take Away
For dads reading this issue:
Be present
Just show up. Game, recital, dinner, conversation. Presence is the highest-leverage father gift, year after year.
Praise specifically
"I'm proud of you" lands. "I'm proud of how hard you worked on that math problem you didn't want to do" lands even harder.
Model the work
Kids learn ethic by watching. Be the worker, the husband, the friend, the citizen you want them to be.
Stay consistent
Through hard years, easy years, your kid's age 5 and age 25 — consistency is what shapes adult character.
Love their mom
Whether you're married, separated, or in any other configuration — how you treat your kid's mother teaches them how to love and be loved.
To Klamath Basin Dads
To every Klamath Basin father, stepfather, grandfather, father-figure, uncle, mentor, coach, teacher, pastor — everyone fulfilling the dad role for someone:
Thank you.
What you do matters more than you'll ever know.
Happy Father's Day, Klamath Basin.