Baker City, Oregon
Charles W. “Chuck” Phegley Jr., 72, a longtime Baker City resident, died Aug. 13, 2004, at a Boise hospital.
There will be a celebration of his life at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the First Church of the Nazarene, 1250 Hughes Lane. Pastor Roger Scovil of the Baker City Christian Church will officiate. There will be a reception afterward at the church.
Viewing will be for family only. Disposition will be by cremation through Gray’s West & Co. Crematory.
Chuck was born on April 14, 1932, at The Dalles to Charles Wesley and Leolia Pear Phegley.
Graduating from high school in 1950, he was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1952. He served two years in Germany during the Korean Conflict. For most of his 72-plus years, Chuck dedicated his life’s work to logging, first working for someone else and for the last 34-plus years for himself as Chuck Phegley Logging. He had won numerous accolades for his timber industry work, including being twice recognized as the Eastern Oregon Region Forest Practices Operator of the Year.
In addition to his deep appreciation and knowledge of the forests, Chuck also was incredibly civic-minded, having sought and been elected to the school board and city council at Halfway, volunteering on the Baker County Planning Commission and most recently in an elected position on the City Council for Baker City. In these capacities, Chuck was able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of his community’s students and citizens.
Chuck continued to give to communities outside of the state and country through Work & Witness programs, supporting local missionary efforts in Arizona, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Western Samoa, Mexico and Ukraine, not to mention activities in his local church.
Chuck attributed his desire to give of himself to his deep and abiding faith in the Lord. He was constantly finding ways to share with others what he had been given.
“We are all comforted to know that while we will sorely miss him, he is at peace. We love you, Dad,” his family said.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by a younger brother, James Phegley.
Survivors include his wife of more than 32 years, Willma Phegley; daughter, Karri Ryan, son-in-law, Patrick, and granddaughter, Taylor, of Meridian, Idaho; son, Craig Davis, daughter-in-law, Melody, and grandchildren, Brandon, Ashley and Rebekah, of Baker City; and son, Charles Wesley “Wes” Phegley III of Wallowa; cousins, David Phegley and Denise Phegley Grande; nieces, Beverly, Wendy, Becky, Marilyn and Kimberly; and former stepchildren, David Ritch and Suzie Ritch Twiss.
Memorial contributions may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society through Gray’s West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, August 20, 2004
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor
