Francis Hall Bagley

Francis Bagley, 87, of Svensen, died June 13, 2014.

Born in Astoria, Oregon, July 11, 1926, to Lewiston and Dorothy (Butler) Bagley, he was raised on the Bagley homestead in Knappa, Oregon.

He attended Knappa-Svensen School, and served in the U.S. Navy before graduating. Francis obtained his Knappa High School certificate in 2009.

Francis was a repairman for the telephone company while employed at Big Creek Fish Hatchery in the 1940s-50s. He took full employment with the Knappa Telephone Company in 1956 for 35 years. He retired in 1990 from Century Link. He then worked for Hubbard’s in Medford, Oregon.

Francis belonged to the Knappa Dads Club, which installed the lighting on the Knappa High School football field. Francis climbed all the high poles and secured power for the lights. Being Santa was a joy he shared with children. He was a chaperone and traveled with the Immanuel Lutheran Youth Group in the 1960s.

He belonged to the Astoria Elks Club, and was also a member of the American Legion. His hobbies were gardening, yard work, woodworking and collecting items from the past.

In 1953, Francis married Eileen (Barendse) Cheuvront, whom he divorced in 1972. They had daughters Suzanne Martin and Tootsie Bagley Rund, and adopted Lewis, Bill and Steve Bagley.

On the Bagley homestead, Francis built onto the 2-room home a 6-room 2-story home to accommodate foster children George Koljenon, Carl Parker, Fred Broberg and Ed Broberg. Jennie Tong came from Hong Kong to be part of the U.S. family for 1 1/2 years. He has two stepchildren, Gary Aho and Maria McGregor. From Francis’ families there are 19 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and four step-grandchildren.

In 1973, he married Carla Landcaster, who preceded Francis’ death. They had girls, Amy Martinez and Allison Bagley.

In 2004, he moved back to Svensen, Oregon, and married Betty Aho Bagley. She resides in Svensen. He is also survived by his brothers Eldred Bagley and Richard Bagley and many nieces and nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father Lewiston Bagley and mother Dorothy Bagley, sisters Gwendolyn Dooms and Arabelle Kent, and brother Jim Bagley.

Graveside services will be June 21, 2014, at Knappa, Prairie Cemetery at 1:00 p.m., followed by a memorial at 3:00 p.m. at Knappa High School Commons.

Memorial contributions may be made to Knappa Athletics or the Cancer Society, in care of Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary, 1165 Franklin Ave. Astoria, Oregon 97103.

An online guest book may be signed at www.caldwellsmortuary.com