Frank "Don" Stiles

Frank "Don" Stiles, 80, of Corbett and formerly of La Grande, died Feb. 12 at his home. A memorial service was held Feb. 20 at Corbett Community Church. Burial was at Miller Cemetery in Silverton. Unger Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements.

Don was born May 29, 1929, to Frank and Sadie (Heard) Stiles of South Gate, Calif. On Jan. 21, 1948, he married Roxieanna Olsen. The couple celebrated 62 years of marriage.

Don worked as a regional supervisor for the Oregon State Parks for 35 years, serving at postings in Brookings,

La Grande and Portland. He oversaw large sections of the state, logging thousands of miles as he traveled from park to park. He helped develop and expand several state parks around Brookings and along the Oregon Coast.

In 1970, then-Oregon Gov. Tom McCall asked Don to help him organize a music festival that later became known as "Vortex 1: A Biodegradable Festival of Life." The free week-long festival at McIver State Park near Estacada hosted an estimated 30,000 to 100,000 people. Organizers of the event feel the festival helped to quell anti-Vietnam War protests during the American Legion conference in Portland, held at the same time.

After retirement, Don and Roxieanna tinkered with farming and then owned and managed a candy store and motel in Westport, Wash., for about five years.

Don was a member of the Corbett Community Church and the Silverton Elks and was with the National Guard for three years. He enjoyed wood-working, and he built the family's homes.

Survivors include his wife; son, Leo Stiles of Condon; daughters, Nancy Severens of Seattle, Linda Stanton of Damascus and Roberta Kile of Corbett; brother, Paul Stiles of Fallbrook, Calif.; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Mark Stiles.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 0330 S.W. Curry St., Portland 97239.

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