Dennis Ray Hassell

Dennis Ray Hassell, 79 of Sonora, died Sunday, Aug., 4, 2002, at a Sonora Hospital. A funeral will take place 11 a.m., Saturday Aug. 10, 2002 at the Medford LDS Stake Center, 2900 Juanipero Way, Medford. Bishop Fred Clark will be officiating.

Mr. Hassell was born Feb. 7, 1923 in Mesa, Ariz. to Maynor and Anna Hassell. He lived in Ashland from 1945 to 1991. He married Grace Arlene Whetten on July 12, 1944. He graduated from Southern Oregon University in 1952 in elementary education.

Mr. Hassell was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many church positions during his lifetime, including Bishop of the Ashland First Ward for five years, Stake President of the Medford Oregon Stake for 10 years, and President of the Canada Halifax Mission for three years. While serving as an early morning Seminary teacher for high school youth in 1975, he challenged his class to become members of the "consecutive club," by reading their scriptures every day. He took on the challenge himself, and did not miss reading a single day in more than 26 years, developing a great love for the scriptures.

He was a WWII veteran, serving his country from 1943-1945 as a pilot in the Air Force. He flew B-24s in the Pacific as part of the 5th Airborne - the "Jolly Rogers."

Mr. Hassell supported his family for many years by logging in Southern Oregon. When he saw a need for a better log bunk, he invented one for himself. As other loggers expressed a desire to buy his new equipment, he sold his log truck in 1954 to raise the capital to start his own steel fabrication business. His log bunks and stakes are still used on most of the logging trucks throughout California and the Northwest.

He was an avid inventor, a thoughtful husband, and a wonderful father.

Mr. Hassell is survived by his wife of 58 years, Grace Arlene Whetten Hassell of Sonora; a son Alan Hassell of Ashland; three daughters Joyce King of Walnut Creek, Calif., Arlene Craig of Sonora, and Paula Henderson of Raleigh, of N.C., 24 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two daughters, Carolyn and LaRee Hassell.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, Aug.9, 2002, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Hillsdale Ave., Sonora. Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Perpetual Education Fund, c/o Bishop Shawn Price, 23100 Knickerbocker Flat, Columbia, Calif. 95310.