James R. "Jim" BADGETT Sr. (11/19/1932 - 01/07/2013)

BADGETT, James R. Sr. "Jim" Of Milton-Freewater, Oregon passed away January 7, 2013 at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington at the age of 80 years.

Funeral services will be January 18, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. at the MUNSELLE-RHODES FUNERAL HOME in Milton-Freewater with Pastor J.J. Dygert officiating. Concluding services and interment will be in the Milton-Freewater Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society through the funeral home.

One of 13 children, Mr. Badgett was born November 19, 1932 in Prosser, Washington the son of Raymond and Rose Badgett. He lived nearly his entire life in Eastern Washington and Northeastern Oregon. He attended Ferndale Grade School and graduated from McLoughlin Union High School in Milton-Freewater in 1953. During his high school years, he participated in football, track, FFA and journalism, serving as the sports editor for the school paper.

From 1954 to 1955 he served in the U.S. Army. After completing his military service, he returned to Oregon where he married and raised a family.

He worked for many years for the Spokesman-Review Newspaper and lived in Moses Lake, Washington for almost 20 years. Several years before the time of his death, he had returned to live in Milton-Freewater where he still remained active, working part time for the Walla Walla Union Bulletin and visiting with numerous relatives and lifelong friends in the area.

He is survived by four children: Zara Walker of Anaheim, CA, James Badgett, Jr. of Castro Valley, CA, Nora Badgett of Austin, TX and Carrie MacDougall of Henderson, NV; three grandchildren: Jenna Badgett of Concord, CA, Michael MacDougall of Henderson, NV, and Jamie Badgett of Castro Valley, CA; a sister Alice Klein of Florence, OR and numerous nieces and nephews.

Published in Spokesman-Review on January 16, 2013