Michael Lane Hougan passed peacefully away on February 23 at the age of 76. He was born in Bellingham, WA, to Arnold and Dorothy Hougan on May 4, 1949. He graduated from Ferndale High School in 1967 and then attended WSU, earning a BS in Forestry Management in 1973.
Michael moved to Oregon with his wife, Dorothy, eventually settling in Cottage Grove. Over the next 40-plus years, he worked in nearly all positions in forestry and logging, from equipment operator to management, owner, and firefighter. He was a passionate advocate for responsible stewardship of our forests, and he would gladly share why with anyone over a pot of coffee, or two.
When Michael wasn’t working, he could be found outdoors enjoying nature, whether hiking, hunting, canoeing, gardening, or rock hounding.
He was predeceased by his parents and younger sister Jan Hougan. Michael is survived by his brother Craig, his sister Kay, his children Adria, Ben, and Heather, their mother Dorothy, six grandchildren, and his nieces and nephews. Private services will be held at a later date.
We will think of him every time we see a neat rock, gnarled burl, or early morning bakery. He was deeply loved, and he will be equally missed.
