Joseph Franklin Batty, Sr.

Joseph Franklin Batty, Sr., 71, of Granite and formerly of La Grande, died February 6, 2006 at his cabin. A celebration of life will begin at 2 pm Saturday at Loveland Funeral Chapel. A second celebration will begin at 1 p.m. February 26, 2006 in the Vernonia High School gymnasium.

Mr. Batty was born September 20, 1934 to Lewis and Edith Jackson Batty at Eightmile. He served in the Army and Army National Guard and retired in 1992 as a command sergeant major. In 1962 he earned a degree in education from Eastern Oregon College and taught elementary and middle school in Ukiah, Long Creek and Vernonia school districts. He was a classroom teacher, head teacher and principal. He also coached basketball and was active in the Vernonia education Association, serving several terms on the negotiations committee. He served on the Vernonia City Council, including serving as acting mayor and was a member of the Vernonia Rural Fire Board and the American Legion.

He helped in the recovery of the Mist-Birkenfeld Fire District during the 1996 floods. He was the administrator for flood relief, coordinating efforts between local government, the military and federal agencies. He was best known in his retirement as the person responsible for the restoration of the Fremont Power Plant near Granite. He coordinated National Guard, Forest Service and Oregon Historical Society resources to compete the project. He enjoyed substitute teaching at all levels, hunting, clearing land, building, plowing snow, hosting family and friends, snowmobiles and four wheelers and being with his children and grandchildren.

Survivors include children and their spouses, Joe and Shelley Batty of Cove, Kay and Allen Gidley of Harrisburg and Jessie and Dean Johnston of Birkenfeld and seven grandchildren.

Contributions may be made to a scholarship fund at the Vernonia Fire Department, 555 E. Bridge Street, Vernonia