Frederick M. Alexis

Fred Alexis of La Grande, formerly of Bakersfield, California and Lakeview, Oregon, died Friday, September 8, 2023, in La Grande at the age of 86.

A service with Naval Military honors will be accorded at the Grandview Cemetery Veterans Circle at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 15, 2023.

Frederick Melven was born on August 2, 1937, in Bakersfield, California, the son of Frank and Anna (Azevedo) Alexis. Fred began his education in Bakersfield and continued when the family moved to Lakeview, Oregon where he graduated high school with the class of 1955.  He enlisted and served four years in the U.S. Navy.  During his enlistment he served aboard 4 ships, the Harry E. Hubbard, the Cushing, Isherwood, and lastly the Hollister.  After his honorable discharge he returned to California.  On December 8, 1962, he was married to Hazel Sellers in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Fred attended college at Santa Rosa Junior College where he earned an Associate of Arts degree before earning a Bachelor of Arts from Chico State.  Fred spent his career as a teacher of Industrial Arts in South High School in Bakersfield.  After retiring from education, he worked as a machinist and welder/fabricator.  Fred and Hazel lived in South San Gabriel, Alhambra, Lynwood, Santa Rosa, Chico and Bakersfield California.  While in Bakersfield they had an acreage where they hosted members of the SKP RV travelers before moving to La Grande in 2005.

Fred was proud and patriotic veteran, beginning with his involvement in the Veterans Club in College and continuing with the American Legion in La Grande, the Veterans of Foreign Wars “Ice Cream Patrol”, which delivered ice cream to Vets who weren’t ambulatory, each Friday for 7 years.  He served on the Union County Fair Board and always wore his Navy uniform and helped with the Celebrate La Grande end of summer block party.  He was an accomplished photographer, he enjoyed restoring antique tractors, especially John Deere, although he currently had one of the few Ottawa tractors ever produced.  He belonged to the Horseless Carriage Club, the Photography Club and the California Industrial Educators Association.

He leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Hazel of La Grande, son Alan of Bakersfield, CA, grandchildren, Andrew, Courtney and Karen, great grandchildren Elizabeth, Benjamin, Joshua and Luke, and a brother Richard of North Powder.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a brother Albert, sister Emily and his daughter Jill Hampton, who died November 5, 2022.

Contributions in memory of Fred Alexis may be made to the American Legion Post #43, 301 Fir Street, La Grande, OR  97850.

Condolences may be left on the tribute page of his obituary at www.danielsknopp.com