Brian Laurence

Bay

Brian Laurence Bay of Mount Angel, husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend, was born January 26th, 1948, to Laurence and Juanita Bay of Coos Bay, Oregon. He passed October 26, 2026, at his home surrounded by his family.

Brian was raised with his sister Brenda on Coos River where he grew up hunting and fishing. He attended Marshfield High School graduating in 1966. After high school he met his future wife Barbara with whom he celebrated 57 years of marriage on October 25th, 2026. He began his firefighting career in North Bend and then attended Salem Tech (Chemeketa Fire Program). While attending school he worked for Marion County Fire District #1. In 1967 he joined the US Navy where he served as a firefighter on the USS Kittyhawk. After completing his military service in 1969, he married Barbara Suing and completed his fire degree at Chemeketa. From there he spent time as a firefighter for the city of Salem working downtown at Station #1. He worked at the State Fire Marshal’s office before his mentor and friend Bob Mobley recruited him to work as a fire instructor at Chemeketa Fire Science Program. Brian was an active man on the Chemeketa campus as an instructor, director of the Emergency Services, PE, Health and Athletics. As a director he was an integral part of building the successful Paramedic Program at Chemeketa. Brian spent two summers in Washington DC for the US Fire Administration where he helped develop the data elements for National Fire Incidence System to make the national system compatible with the Oregon system. He retired in 2000 at the age of 50. He has many fond memories of teaching and has had a major impact on the lives of many leaders in Oregon’s Fire Service as well as the lives of leaders in fire protection across the country.

During retirement, Brian and Barb spent prolific time traveling, fishing, golfing, and wood crafting. His favorite thing was spending every possible moment with his family at his Fish Eagle Retreat on Ten Mile Lake.

The greatest accomplishment in Brian’s life was his family. Brian and Barbara have three wonderful kids, Denice, Jennifer, and Nathan. He was immensely proud that each of them have become giving members to their communities. Brian was incredibly proud of his grandchildren and was passionate about attending every event that they participated in no matter how far he had to drive to get there. He did not want to miss a minute of cheering them on while doing the things that they loved.

Brian is survived by his loving wife Barbara, children Denice Seeger, husband Danny, Jen Hoffer, husband David, and Nate, wife Clarissa. Grandchildren Colin, Shane, Owen, Ryan, Cordelia, Curran, Zachary, Lincoln, and great-grandchildren Weston and Lynnlee. His sister Brenda Grotzke, husband Chuck and their sons Andy and Eric.

Join us for a memorial at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Silverton at 10:30 am on November 24th with a celebration of life to follow at Mount Angel Festhalle. In Lieu of flowers we ask you to make a donation to the Brian Bay Emergency Services Scholarship at Chemeketa. Web address: https://chemeketa.thankyou4caring.org/give Select: In Memory of Brian Bay. Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel, Mt. Angel.