Leslie Joseph Kegg

Leslie Joseph Kegg, age 85, of La Grande and formerly of Oregon City, died Saturday, August 14, 2010. There will be a Military Funeral at the Willamette National Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center.


Mr. Kegg was born on August 15, 1924, the son of Leslie and Mary Jane (Gilpin) Kegg in Sacramento, California. He was raised and graduated High School in Weed Calif., where he was a state champion in track hurdles and a member of the 1942 State championship basketball team. He served in the United States Navy as a Corpsman with the 1st Marines Division in the Pacific theater during World War II. He was an accomplished musician and played semi-pro basketball for a time after his honorary discharge from the Navy. On August 4, 1945 he married Melba Jean Lauderdale in San Francisco, California. He worked for the State of California Youth Authority and later worked at San Quentin Prison until his retirement. When his children were young he coached them in all of their athletic endevors. They moved to Oregon City in 1987 where he was active with their Senior Center and served as a volunteer for local governement. He was a member of the Elks Lodge in California, he enjoyed golfing and was a truly dedicated and loved family man.


Survivors include his wife, Melba Kegg of La Grande; children, Cheryl Patterson of La Grande, Jack Kegg of La Grande, Kelly Kegg of Beaver Creek, Oregon; and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers.

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