MOSES LAKE - Walter LePage, 97, a founder of the Washington State Potato Commission, was remembered Monday for his leadership during the commission's early years.

LePage, of Pasco, died last week in his home, according to his obituary posted on the Einan's Funeral Home Web site.

His funeral service was Monday in Richland.

Kellee Balcom, of the Washington State Potato Foundation, said the foundation interviewed LePage in 2006 for a foundation honor, the Industry Leadership Award.

LePage was featured because he was a surviving member of the potato commission's charter board of 1956, along with Ed McKay.

"We recognized him in 2006 for that accomplishment," Balcom said. "As part of that founding commission, he was obviously instrumental in helping shape the forum for growers."

Balcom also called LePage a "forerunner in leadership for growers in the area."

"In July 1956, 13 men gathered in Yakima, Washington, with a desire to bring together the potato industry with one unified voice - the Washington State Potato Commission," according to a video script provided by Balcom of the award presentation.

From 1956 to 2006, the number of potato growers doubled from 160 to more than 300.

"The average yield today has nearly tripled from 12 tons per acre to well over 30 tons per acre -- the highest in the nation," the script states. "The total amount of potato acres farmed in 1956 was just over 18,000 compared to the 155,000 acres grown in 2005."

Chris Voigt, the potato commission's executive director, called LePage "a pioneer."

"He was a leader and a visionary," Voigt stated. "His leadership and vision will be missed."