Francis Charles Pfander

Francis Charles Pfander, age 93, formerly of Grants Pass, died Friday, October 19, 2012 at his home in Medford, OR.

A funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday October 24, 2012 with Pastor Sharon Besler officiating. Private interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Francis was born on February 5, 1919 in Jasper, Missouri to Warren and Blanche Pfander. He married Dortha Metcalf in 1939. He joined the Navy in 1944 and served his country during World War II where he crossed the equator and became a “shellback”. He shared many stories with his family about the hazing that occurred when the seamen crossed the equator.

He was a man that wore many hats during his lifetime. He had worked at Standard Oil before joining the Navy and returned to that company after his service in the Navy. One of the jobs that he enjoyed the most was being a apartment manager with his wife. He enjoyed the outdoors including camping, hunting and fishing with his family. One of the biggest joys of his life was just spending time with his wife and children.

He was a kind and gentle man, wonderful father and husband.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dortha Pfander and his grandson Billy Pfander and his siblings Raymond and Glenn Pfander and Mary Cox.

He is survived by his brother Lloyd Pfander of Chandler, AZ, his four sons: Charles Pfander of Canyonville, Or; Steven Pfander of San Jose, CA; Danny Pfander of Medford, OR and Max Pfander of San Jose, CA along with his 5 grandchildren, Darren, Danielle and Rusty Pfander, Jessica Vargas and Laura Boyles; and his 5 great grandchildren, Sarah & Seth Boyles, Branden, Catalina and Jake Vargas.