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PHOTOS: Honoring the late Sen. Peter Courtney, Oregon’s longest-serving lawmaker and advocate for Salem

Lawmakers, relatives and dignitaries from across Oregon gathered Wednesday afternoon at the Oregon Capitol to remember the life of a man who worked for decades to improve the lives of Oregonians and Salemites.

Sen. Peter Courtney died July 16, 2024, of complications from cancer, less than two years after he retired as Senate President. He held the post for more than 20 years.

At the ceremony Wednesday, former governors, legislative leaders and Courtney’s sons recounted his care for people around him, his track record of bipartisanship and his dry humor.

Margie Courtney, wife of Sen. Peter Courtney, wipes away a tear at a memorial held for her late husband, Sen. Peter Courtney, at the Oregon Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. Son Peter Courtney Jr. is to her right. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)
The Oregon Legislature commemorated late Senate President Peter Courtney on Wednesday with a memorial in the chamber he presided over for 20 years. (Photo by Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)
Kristen Grainger and Dan Wetzel of Salem band True North perform “Country Roads” at memorial held for Sen. Peter Courtney at the Oregon Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. Wetzel’s guitar was made by inmates at the Oregon State Penitentiary. Courtney’s family has requested it be played every year. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)
Former Gov. Ted Kulongoski, right, U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas, center, and Gov. Tina Kotek applaud during a celebration of life for Oregon Sen. Peter Courtney at the Oregon Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)
Brett Hanes, legislative administrator, presents a state flag to Margie Courtney at a memorial held for her late husband, Sen. Peter Courtney, at the Oregon Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)
House Republican Leader Christine Drazan​ greets Peter Courtney’s wife Margie at a memorial for the late lawmaker on Jan. 29, 2025 (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)
Former Gov. Kate Brown embraces Margie Courtney at the memorial for her late husband, former Senate President Peter Courtney, on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)
Senate President Ron Wagner greets Peter Courtney’s wife Margie at a memorial for the late lawmaker on Jan. 29, 2025 (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)
Gov. Tina Kotek shares a moment with Margie Courtney at the memorial for her late husband, former Senate President Peter Courtney, on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)

Correction: This article originally misspelled Kristen Grainger’s last name in a photo caption. Salem Reporter apologizes for the error.

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Photographer Ron Cooper and his wife Penny moved to Salem in 1969 to take a job as photographer at the Oregon Statesman (later the Statesman Journal). Their three children, Monica, Kimberly, and Christopher, attended and graduated from Salem public schools. Cooper retired from the Statesman Journal in 2001 but, has continued his passion for photography in many ways, including as a photographer for the Salem Reporter.