Carl Francis Kellenberger

Carl Francis Kellenberger, age 82, of Tigard and formerly of La Grande, died Friday, September 20, 2002 at the Delicate Care Foster Home in Beaverton.


Mr. Kellenberger was born on August 30, 1920 the son of Carl and Violet Kellenberger in Portland, Oregon. He graduated from Jefferson High School in Portland. He then attended Stanford University on a baseball scholarship. He later played semi-pro baseball. During World War II he served as a fighter pilot in the Marine Corp.

In 1944 he married Gene Forrest. They moved to La Grande in 1956 and he and Connie Braseth purchased Epling Distributing and Moving Company. They operated the company as B&K Distributing and La Grande Transfer Moving Company. In 1957 their 8 year old son, Randy, was killed near Troy, Oregon in a truck accident. In 1959 they moved to Medford where he purchased a Taxi Cab company. In 1969 they moved to Portland and he was the Transportation and Warehouse Manager for Terminal Transfer Company until his retirement.

They spent their winters at their home in Yuma, Arizona. He loved all sports and played tennis and golf until a year ago. Each summer he would spend a couple of weeks in the Grande Ronde Valley for golf tournaments.

Survivors include his children, Candy and Gary Miller of Medford and Karen and Bill Tate of Beaverton; grandchildren, Brian Miller, Julie Clay, Daniel Tate and Randy Tate; two great grandchildren; sister-in-law and her husband, Gerry and Gene Palmer of La Grande; nephews, Craig Braseth and Cory Braseth, both of La Grande; nieces, Cindy Troutman of Hillsboro and Claudia Womack of Eugene; good friend, Marla Moore of Tigard and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Gene Kellenberger and son, Randy Kellenberger.

Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Mr. Kellenberger to the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research or Providence St. Vincent Hospice in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.