Obituary of Frederick Jean Bixel

Fred said that he was born”on a cold day in 1924” when his family was moving from Ohio to Oregon. Prehaps that accounts for his independent spirit.

He proudly served his country during WWII, was in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater, Battles of Rome-Arno, North Appennines, and Po Valley. Later captured on a mission in Italy by the Germans. Listed MIA, and transported to a camp in Germany where he was a POW until the war ended.

He was one of  five children of Waldo E. Bixel and Euealia Kohli Bixel. He was proceeded in death by his wife, Jean Elizabeth Bixel. Brothers and sister, Waldo Bixel Jr. of Portland Oregon, Vernetta Congdon of Portland Oregon, James Bixel of Portland, Oregon and Kenneth Bixel also of Portland, Oregon.

Fred met and married Jean on November 24 1946. Fred loved Jean deeply and her personality; she was a loving wife. Fred said, “It was a good show and life became an adventure traveling the world and back.” Both were active in the First Baptist Church. They were married for seventy three years.

In 1956 they moved to Portland area and raised their children. He is survived by his son Roderick J. Bixel of Portland, daughter Tara Lynn Karnes of Vancouver Washington, and son Jonathan T. Bixel. Six grandchildren, Zachariah Bixel, Amanda Lorts, Nathan Bixel, Johanna Karnes, Audrey Johnson, Proceeded in death by grandson Evan Bixel. Survived by two great grandchildren, Henry Johnson and William Johnson.

In 1974 Fred and Jean moved to Brookings Oregon and for 16 years enjoyed the area, going to Grace Bible Church, and were active in the art association where they made many friends.

Fred worked with mixed media, acrylic and canvas to create three-dimensional pieces. While he had some formal art training, Fred considered himself largely self-taught. He exhibited and sold his work through the West Coast Professional Artist Guild, where he was a member. He worked as a political cartoonist for Western Communications in Bend and received several newspaper editorial awards for the “Pilot.” Fred worked on commissions and exhibited his work in Oregon, Californis, Texas, and Alaska.

In 1990 they moved to the McMinnville Oregon area and were active in the First Baptist Church and she sang in the choir. They were members of the Gallery Players and partisipated in many productions and very active in their art work.

In 2017 they moved to Camas, Washington to be closer to family in Vancouver Washington.