Thomas Ray Bessler, 83, of Seneca passed away Thursday, Sept. 13, of acute leukemia.

A proud fourth-generation Oregonian, he was born March 21, 1935, in Portland, to Thomas Daniel Bessler and Fairy Lillian Bessler nee Harris. Tom lived in Seneca for 19 years after raising a family in Portland, Oregon, and Frankfurt, Germany.

Tom served honorably in the U.S. Army as a translator in Germany during the Korean Conflict. He worked as a photographer for Photo Art and OHSU in Portland, and also for the Goethe Institute and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, both in Frankfurt, Germany. Tom most recently worked for Yamamoto Manufacturing in Portland, before moving to his beloved Oregon Outback.

Instead of retiring, as most might, Tom worked for the city of Seneca, used his ham radio skills for the benefit of the Oregon Emergency Broadcast Network, as well as serving for 12 years with the Grant County Sheriff’s Posse, Search And Rescue and also for 10 years for Grant County Air Search.

He is survived by his brother, Felix Harris Bessler of Portland and Seneca; daughters, Joann Bessler of Delta, British Columbia, Canada, Jacki Bessler of Yamhill, Oregon, and Micki Bessler of San Carlos, California; and four beloved grandchildren.

The family will host a dessert and coffee wake at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at Seneca City Hall, 106 A Ave., Seneca, Oregon.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom’s memory to one’s own favorite charity.