Michael James Blagg

Michael "Mike" James Blagg, 68, formerly of La Grande, died April 17 at a Pendleton care center after a long battle with Alzheimer's. A celebration of life service will begin at 10 a.m. Friday at Pioneer Chapel, Folsom-Bishop, 131 Byers Ave. SE, Pendleton. A reception will follow at Pendleton Convention Center. Disposition was by cremation. Condolences may be made at pioneerchapel.com.

Mike was born Sept. 27, 1942, in The Dalles to James Walter and Helen (Brock) Blagg. He was raised in Pendleton and graduated from Pendleton High School in 1960.

In 1962, he married Nancy Thompson. They later divorced. This union gave the couple two children. He married Nancy Johnson; she had three children. They later divorced. In 1981, he married Marilyn Sisk, blending their families.

He worked for the Dean Forth Ranches and then for Hills Furniture Co., building and upholstering furniture. He eventually started his own upholstering business. He also worked for United Parcel Service, Umatilla County Sheriff Department and retired from Mid Columbia Bus Co. after 20 years.

Mike was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing, hunting, camping and riding motorcycles. He was a lover of all animals, especially horses and his cow dogs. He spent many hours watercolor-painting landscape scenes.

Mike is survived by his wife of 29 years, Marilyn; sons, Darin Blagg of Pendleton, Brian Blagg of LaCrosse, Wash., Jarrod Blagg of

La Grande, Colby Blagg of Gresham and Lori Blagg of Tampa, Fla.; sister, Sandra Day of Edmonds, Wash.; an aunt; 13 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Micheal.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

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