Donald Ray Falleur

Donald Ray Falleur was born to Raymond G. Falleur and Hazel P. Corrigan Falleur on Feb. 10, 1938, in Astoria. He passed away peacefully on April 22, 2015, in Portland, at the age of 77.

Don was raised in Clatsop County, attending all 12 years at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea School. During his high school years he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball, as well as being a member of the National Guard all four years. He enjoyed the comradery at Star of the Sea, and “The Star Boys” made a point to get together several times each year. After high school he attended the University of Portland for one year, but his love for the coast brought him home.

On May 20, 1961, he and Helen Teevin Falleur were married at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, and would have celebrated 54 years of marriage this year. Along with Helen, Don is survived by his children Reyne’ Foster, Mike and Jody Falleur, Suzette and Mark Bergeson, Monique and Rich Arnold, Tom and Emily Falleur, and Chantell Falleur. He is also survived by his grandchildren, who were his pride and joy: Marcie, Randie, Corrie, Kaylee, and Maggie Falleur; Danielle, Andrew, and Matthew Bergeson; Elizabeth, Victoria, and Kenny Arnold; and Mackenzie, Troy, and JulieAnne Foster. He is also survived by his sister, Sharon Parker, numerous nieces and nephews, and a large extended Catholic family. He was preceded in death by his father and mother; sister, Beverly; and son, Randy,

Don took the entrepreneurial role from the start. He started learning the farm world at the age of 3, when he would cross what is now Highway 101 from his house to the Bob Reed Farm. He continued to work at the Reed farm all through school and as a second job in the evenings as he worked days at the Prouty Mill in Warrenton. Don began his work in the logging world as a tree planter for Crown-Zellerbach, being one of three out of 50 to finish the planting season. He soon became a choker setter for Irvin Smith. He worked his way up, and in 1963 bought the outfit from Irvin, and became F & B Logging, which is still in full operation today.

The early years were tough for Don and then partner, Bill. They were often shut down in the woods due to high humidity, so the two bought a dory and fished it along the coast from Pacific City north to Cannon Beach in the Pacific Ocean to keep continued revenue coming in for the logging business. He always said the more you learn, the better your life will be. If something falls through, you’ll always have something to fall back on.

Don’s true love was farming, purchasing his first calves for $5 apiece and bringing them home in his car to raise. That income was saved up to give him the down payment for the IvyLoo Acres farm that he worked every day until his passing. Over the years his cattle herd grew and grew. If you saw a truck loaded down with hay on the road, that was probably Don. He shared his love of cattle with his children, and was proudest when he watched his grandchildren show their cattle locally, as well as through video feed at shows around the country. He also raised hogs and was fondly known as “The Pig Man.”

While Don’s work ethic took much of his time, he always took joy in hunting, gillnetting, beach combing, and clam digging. In the early years he took his family on camping trips and coached his sons in baseball as part of the Seaside Kids program. He was an active member of 4-H in his youth, and a great supporter of the 4-H program, purchasing animals every year. He was also a member of the American Angus Association, Clatsop County Livestock Association, Oregon Cattleman’s Association, Salmon For All, Columbia River Protection Union, Oregon Hunters Association, Clatsop County Safety Council, Associated Oregon Loggers Inc., and was an active supporter in all his children’s and grandchildren’s school activities.

Don wore many hats as a husband, father, grandfather, logger, gillnetter, and farmer. Many of those hats were worn at the same time to give his family a good life. He was not ever eloquent in his speech, and spoke his mind often. You always knew which side of his fence you stood on with Don, but under that grumbly exterior was a man who would give you the shirt off his back, if you truly needed it.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 1, 2015, beginning with a rosary at 12 p.m. and Mass at 1 p.m. at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church at 120 Oceanway, Seaside, Ore. Private interment for family will follow at Ocean View Cemetery. A reception will be held May 1 at 4 p.m. at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds, 92937 Walluski Loop Road, Astoria, Ore.

Memorial contributions can be made to Clatsop County Safety Council Scholarship, P.O. Box 615, Clatskanie, OR 97016 or to the Don and Helen Falleur Memorial Scholarship, Clatsop County Extension Service 4-H, 2001 Marine Drive, Astoria, OR 97103.