Arthur Leonard "Art" Chan

Arthur Leonard “Art” Chan, 86, of Astoria, died Thursday, June 28, 2012, in Astoria.

He was born Feb. 1, 1926, in Astoria, to He Tong and Leung (Ying) Chan.

In 1946, he graduated from Astoria High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in both World War II and the Korean War as a staff clerk and staff photographer respectively. He received his honorable discharge in 1952.

In 1958, he married Lila Chan in Portland. She preceded him in death.

Mr. Chan attended Art Center in Pasadena, Calif., and studied photography. He opened Chan Studio in downtown Astoria in 1958, with his wife, specializing in portrait and commercial photography. He took generations of family photos from weddings, senior portraits, proms and family reunions. He was also a news stringer for the Portland news stations who would call on him to film breaking news stories on the coast. He was the official photographer for the Miss Oregon pageant for many years, and covered John F. Kennedy’s visit to Tongue Point. He also taught photography at Clatsop Community College for many years.

He was not only a sharp shooter with a camera, but also as a pistol marksman placing second at the 1960 National Rifle Association National Indoor Championships out of 2,550 entries. He was a long-standing member of Clatsop Post 12 American Legion, as well as the Astoria Golf & Country Club, where he served on the board of directors. He was also a member of Kiwanis and the Clatsop County Historical Society.

Family members said he and his wife shared many activities together from golfing, Mah Jong, and berry picking to enjoying watching their children grow up. He stayed active and most enjoyed time with his family, close friends and coffee groups, golfing and sumi art painting. He took great interest in the activities of his grandchildren, who called him Gong Gong, and traveled often to attend their events.

He is survived by five children and their spouses, Marcia and Chuck Ridley of Edmonds, Wash., Linda Chan and Tim Prock of Tigard, Lisa and John Tsuji of Lynnwood, Wash., Maria and Jeff McClean of Beaverton, and Jeffrey Chan and Shannon Tocchini of Portland; and 12 grandchildren, Jennifer, Ryan and Meghan Tsuji, Kyle and Justin Ridley, Tyler and Laura Prock, Kevin, Kelly, Cara and Connor McClean and Yu-Siang Chan.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Linda Chan.

A memorial will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, July 14, at the Astoria Golf & Country Club.

Memorial contributions may be made to Clatsop Post 12 American Legion, 1132 Exchange St., Astoria, OR 97103, or the Clatsop County Historical Society, P.O. Box 88, Astoria, OR 97103-0088.

Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary in Astoria is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.caldwellsmortuary.com