James Edward LaVigne

He was born July 16, 1946 in Chippewa Falls, WI to William and Virginia (Freese) LaVigne. The family moved to Oregon when Jim was very young. He was a 1964 graduate of Clackamas High School. After attending Portland State University, where he played football and wrestled for one year, Jim served honorably as a Marine in Vietnam. Following his discharge, he returned to Clackamas and married Trudy Maier in 1970 and started their family.

Mr. LaVigne worked for Oregon Steel until 1984, then with the US Corps of Engineers at Bonneville Dam, beginning as a maintenance worker and eventually retiring in 2009 as head foreman of the mechanics crew in the #2 powerhouse. Away from work, he enjoyed coaching sports, beginning with baseball before his children were born and ending in 2017, having been able to coach his own boys and grandchildren. He was also a Boy Scout leader. For many years, he and Trudy ‘played’ through their children’s and grandchildren’s outdoor activities – sports, rodeo, camping, hunting, and horsepacking.

Mr. LaVigne is survived by his wife Trudy; children Jon LaVigne and his wife Stephanie and Steve LaVigne and his wife Liz (and their children Daniel and James); and by numerous cousins.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations in Jim’s name to Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Oregon Chapter 29-1, or to an organization meant to benefit veterans and their families of the donor’s choice.

A committal service with honors will take place on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. Those who wish to attend are requested to gather at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home by 10:30 am in order to be led in procession into the cemetery. Following honors, a reception will take place at Lincoln Memorial, with a memorial program to begin at 12 pm.