Dean W. Logan

Dean W. Logan, age 91, of Grants Pass, died Wednesday, October 6, 2010 at Three Rivers Community Hospital.

A funeral service will be at 1:00 pm, Sunday, October 17, 2010 at Seventh Day Adventist Church, 1360 NE 9th Street, Grants Pass. Private internment will be at Eagle Point National Cemetery on Monday October 18, 2010. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions can be made to: Foundation Fighting Blindness, PO Box 17279, Baltimore, MD 21203-7279 or the Zonta Club of Grants Pass Foundation, PO Box 1615, Grants Pass, OR 97528.

He was born October 4, 1919 in Wellington, Kansas to William Joab and Laura Edna (Worden) Logan. He had an older sister and brother, Edna and William. They moved to San Jose, California when he was just one. His father died when he was very young. Later they moved to Phoenix, Oregon where he graduated High School when he was 16 years old. He worked for Boeing as an aircraft assembler before being drafted by the United States Army. He was inducted January 16, 1942 where he spent time in Australia, the Philippine Islands and New Guinea. While stationed in Australia, he met his wife of 60 years, Sadie Phyllis Brown. On August 21, 1943, they were married in Glebe Point, Australia. Once back in the United States, his wife came to join him from Australia on a “bride ship” with other “war brides” arriving in San Francisco. He received an Honorable Discharge from the Army as a Medical Staff Sergeant in 1945, after serving 3 years and 9 months.

He and his wife lived briefly in Santa Cruz before moving to Pendleton, Oregon where he worked in the Harris Pine Mills and played Softball. He played briefly with the famed “King and his Court”. After about a year or so, they moved back to Australia for approximately 6 years where Dean received his teaching degree and taught school. While living in Australia their first child, Warren, was born. When Warren was approximately 6 year old, they moved back to the United States landing in Grants Pass. Once back in the United States with his education from Australia obtained his Bachelor of Science in Education from Southern Oregon College.

Dean taught for 28 years in Josephine County. He taught in Kerby and at Fruitdale School and was principal in Wolf Creek before landing at Fleming Middle School when it opened. He taught Math and Science and in his later years Physical Education. He coached many sports including Football, Basketball, and Track. When Dean retired from teaching after 28 years, Fleming named their Football Field “Dean W. Logan Field” in his honor.

During the summers while teaching he worked for Josephine County Parks and would take youth work crews out to work in the parks, clearing brush and cleaning trails, and manned the Big Pine Fire Lookout at times. He also did substitute teaching for several years after retiring and also worked in the Men’s Department at the Golden Rule Department Store.

Dean lived a long, full life and always had great stories to share and he remembered them in detail. He loved teaching for the students. He loved coaching for the players. He loved his wife and family very much. He made an impact on many lives and will be missed by many.

He was preceded in death by his parents, step-father, sister and brother and his wife of 60 years, Sadie.

Survivors include his son, Warren Logan and daughter-in-law Diane of Eugene, Oregon; daughter, Susan Stribling & Tony Sunseri of Eugene, Oregon; son, Michael Logan; daughter, Dana Zozaya and son-in-law Jacques of Grants Pass. Seven Grandchildren: Chandra Ferguson & her husband Joe; Emily Vanderpool & her husband Ronnie; Ben Logan & his wife Jacki; Kelly Spurlock & her husband Ben; Laura McMahon & her husband Travis; Sadie Zozaya and Logan Zozaya. Eleven Great Grandchildren: Nayelie & Trenton Ferguson; Danny & Ryder Vanderpool; Terek, Lillie & Rosie Logan; Quincy, Brody & Kimberly Spurlock; Ella McMahon and many nieces and nephews.