David Merle Christensen

David Merle Christensen July 21, 1947 - April 26, 2012 On April 26, 2012, Dave Christensen was freed from a year-long battle with colon cancer and has gone to Cattlemen's Heaven. He was 64 years old. This remarkable man walked the earth wearing many hats; cattle buyer, beef-packing plant manager, cattle rancher, thoroughbred race horse breeder, property developer, rodeo clown, bronc & bull rider, deep-sea fishing captain and big game hunter. Dave was born in Tillamook, Or., on July 21, 1947, the second of three children, to Jack Christensen and Eleanor Velde Christensen. He grew up in Redmond, OR and graduated from Redmond High in 1965. During high school, Dave enjoyed competing in football, 4H and rodeo events. He paid for his rodeo expenses by running trap lines and working in his father's cattle feedlot. This began his lifelong passion for the agricultural industry. Dave attended Oregon State University where he paid his tuition by working as a cutter for a beef packing plant. In college he continued his love of rodeo by competing in saddle bronc riding, bull riding, and occasionally filling in as a bullfighter. He graduated from OSU in 1969 with a degree in Business Law. After college he went to work for Coast Pack Co., first as a cattle buyer then as a manger of a beef packing plant in Ontario, Or. Shortly afterward he married his beloved wife, Marion Kem. In 1980 his cattle ranching career began when he and Marion moved to Deer Island, Or., to run one of the largest cattle ranches in western Oregon. Retiring from full-time ranching in 2000 allowed him to pursue some of his other lifelong dreams. Dave spent many days on the Pacific Ocean captaining his sport fishing boat, Maski, on tuna and salmon fishing adventures. He and his best friend, Mike McKinnon, he began buying and developing commercial, agricultural and residential property in central Oregon. Dave traveled around the world not only as a big game hunter, but also to simply see areas of the planet that catch his interest. Still, the thing he enjoyed most was spending time with his wife, Marion, raising and selling thoroughbred racehorses. He will be missed by many for his ability to tell amazing and colorful stories; most of which were true. Dave is survived by his wife of 36 years Marion Kem Christensen, sons, Hunter Christensen of Scappoose, Or. and Chase Christensen of Culver, Or., Sister, Judi Christensen Patrick, of Redmond, Or. and granddaughter, Elise Christensen. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Merlene Christensen. A celebration of life, a "Good Ol' Cowboy Party," will be held in early summer for family and friends. Instead of flowers, memorial gifts are asked to be made in the form of donations to the Columbia Learning Center's, "Chance to Become Scholarship Program," PO Box 1094, St. Helens, OR, 97051 On-line condolences can be made to the family at; www.columbiafh.com