Frederick Laverne Bushong, loving Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Uncle, Teacher, Coach and Friend to so many, passed away on Sunday, July 18th, 2021 in Bend, OR.
Fred married early in life and was blessed with 2 daughters, Patty and Cindy. On, November 20th, 1981, Fred married the love of his life, Betty with 3 more blessings – two daughters and a son, Debbie, Amy & Guy. Fred and Betty were married for 39 years and would have celebrated their 40th anniversary in November.
The world became a better place on December 7, 1942 when Frederick Laverne Bushong was born to the late Jack and Virginia (Gunn) Bushong in Cottage Grove, OR. Due to his father’s logging career, they moved around spending most of his childhood years in Tillamook, OR where his Dad owned the Bushong Logging Co. After the business was sold the logging family moved to Ukiah, CA, followed by a move to Lewiston, ID, where Fred’s athletic career began. Fred competed in football, basketball and baseball. During his senior year, he received the “Outstanding Athlete of the Year” Award.
Fred then continued his education at the University of Oregon, while raising his two daughters & working a full-time job. He was a member of the University of Oregon Freshman Football Team. Fred graduated with a B.S. Degree in Physical Education and Health in 1965 and was immediately hired as a PE teacher at Kennedy Junior High School where he coached over 6 different sports. In 1968, Fred completed his Master’s Degree from UO.
In 1968, he was hired at Eagle Point High School where he taught PE and was the head track coach until 1969 when he decided that summer to go & work in the oil fields in Prudhoe Bay, AK. While in Alaska, Fred got his pilot’s license; however, one year of that was enough and Fred then moved on to Guam where he taught for two years. While on Guam, Fred coached track & field and officiated on the various military bases and high school basketball games in which former NBA Trailblazer Coach, Terry Stotts played. He was the University of Guam’s Quarterback at the age of 30! He was an expert scuba diver where he enjoyed treasure hunting. After several dives he managed to remove a porthole from a sunken ship, which we have to this day! Fred loved night shelling on Guam and brought an amazing shell collection back to Oregon. In 1972, Fred was Oregon-bound and landed a PE teaching position at Crook County High School in Prineville, Oregon.
When Fred started at Crook County High School he began the Crook County Boys Cross Country Team. In 1976, the CCHS Boys Cross Country Team won the state championship and Fred was recognized as Coach of the Year. In 1980, he became head coach for both Boys and Girls Cross Country until his retirement in 1998. In 1973, Fred became the Assistant Boys Track & Field Coach, taking over as Head Coach in 1974. In 1980 Fred became Head Coach for both Boys and Girls Track & Field Programs until his retirement. Fred ventured out and was the Girls Varsity Basketball Coach from 1988 – 1989, and coached Freshman Boys Basketball from 1972-1974. He officiated basketball games from 1976 – 2000, even chosen to do several State Basketball Tournaments. Fred was known for training right along with his team and lead by example. Fred pioneered the Dam Run which began in the early 1980s which was created as a fundraiser for the Crook County High School Cross Country Team and continues as a fundraiser today. Fred continued to support both Cross Country and Track & Field over the years by assisting at cross country and track meets, most often seen as the starter of the running events for both Crook County Middle School and Crook County High School.
Overall, Fred competed in 39 marathons and in 1996 he qualified and ran in the 100th Boston Marathon! He ran in, too many to count, 5K and 10K runs over the years. His last marathon was the Newport Marathon on June 5, 2010 with his son Guy and son-in-law Monty. The Trail’s End Marathon (1980) was his fastest marathon, with a time of 3:05:33.
Fred loved spending time with his family. We are all so thankful for the many memories with Dad that we get to cherish, all of our fun adventures from camping trips, fishing & hunting trips, to adventures in Yuma, AZ, Germany, California, Washington, Texas and so much more. Holidays, birthdays, weddings, graduations, sporting events and family get-togethers were such a blessing & Fred made all of them so special and fun. Not only to his family, but also to his friends and colleagues, Fred was “The Hero” and “Voice of Reason”. As stated recently by a good friend, “Whether in the classroom, in the woods, on the chukar slopes, fishing the John Day, playing softball, basketball, golf and coaching or officiating he never wavered in his ability to have fun, keep calm and do his best to lead those through the good and bad.”
Fred was an avid fly fisherman and hunter and shared his love of these sports with his friends and family over the years. He spent many hours with his kids and grandkids teaching them how to cast, feed the hook or proper use of handling a firearm. He was there for it all and enjoyed every minute of it as we all did in return.
Fred spent many summer months in the woods logging and lopping with fellow colleagues, students and his own children to earn extra income for the family. He was a leader and mentor for all those who had the privilege of working with him.
Fred was a staple at Meadow Lakes Golf Course since his retirement from the Crook County School District. Fred marshalled and was the Meadow Lakes representative for High Desert Seniors, organizer of the “Buzzards” group that welcomed all players three times a week year-round, and long-time member of the Men’s Association.
Fred was a life-long Mason following in his Dad’s footsteps.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Virgie Bushong, his brothers Gary and Charlie Bushong, and his brothers-in-law, Keith Weaver and Scott Pollock. Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Betty Bushong, his 5 children and their spouses: Patty and Steve Bachman of Baker City, OR, Cindy and Glenn Porter of Liberty Hill, TX, Debbie and Tim Proctor, Amy and Monty Bernard and Guy and Tonya Chamness all of Prineville, OR, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Barbara Bushong of Forest Grove, OR, Margaret Weaver of Prineville, OR, Buz and Judy Fine of Fort Rock, OR, Lewi and Jeri Fine of Madras, Or, Darlean Pollock of Bend, OR, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Also surviving are his twelve grandchildren: Jamey Bachman, Stephanie (Nate) Petrucci, Erin Bachman, Andrew and Lydia Porter, Ashley (Caleb) Bunch, Megan (Wes) Linhart, Hayley (Kyle) Skyberg, Austin (Tristan Holeston) Proctor, Aubrey, Carson and Avery Chamness. Great grandchildren: Colbi and Hoyt Bachman, Bryson and Emmett Petrucci, Ace, Petra, Athens, Cai and Cas Bunch, Monty Linhart and Cohen Skyberg.
Fred was not fond of dressing up…give him a great DUCKS shirt and some sweat pants or shorts and he was happy. In honor of him, please wear DUCK green & yellow, or whatever you are comfortable wearing to the Celebration of Life which will be held at Meadow Lakes Golf Course on Thursday, July 29th at 12:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fred Bushong Cross Country/Track & Field Scholarship that had been created at U.S. Bank in Prineville, OR. It will be used to help Cross Country and Track Athletes in their pursuit of a college education.