Fredrick Charles Colton

Fredrick Charles Colton was born in Baker City, Oregon, on April 2, 1935, to Charles and Dorothy Colton. Fred passed away in his home in North Powder, on May 10, 2023, at the age of 88 surrounded by his family.

Fred was raised in Baker Valley, where he grew up on his family’s sheep ranch with his two brothers Gordan and Bob, and sister, Kathy.  As a young boy and into adulthood, Fred helped raise and herd the sheep, alongside his father, through the Eagle Cap wilderness. Fred attended school at the St. Francis Academy in Baker where he spent his high school years playing basketball receiving many honors and college scholarship opportunities. Afterward, Fred spent two years in the Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton serving his country.

In 1962, Fred married Joan Kay Galligan, and together had three children-David, Christopher, and Jennifer. Early in their marriage, they moved to North Powder where Fred worked on their cattle ranch on Wolf Creek raising cattle, wheat, and hay. He spent his life building up their ranch with his amazing work ethic, teaching his sons to follow in his footsteps.

Fred had six grandchildren-Jordan, Caleb, Peter, Megan, Alexandra, and Isaac, and one great-grandchild, Aurora.

A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 11:00 AM, at the St. Francis de Sales Cathedral in Baker City, Oregon, with Father Suresh Telagani officiating.  A reception will be held at the Elks Lodge directly following the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to assist St. Francis de Sales in repairing the entrance stairs; you may make your donations out to the Cathedral Stair Project and send them to Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel at 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814. 

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