Scott Hegge, 54, of Sweet Home, Oregon went home to Jesus Wednesday after a short battle with Leukemia. He was born in Lebanon to Vernon “Bud” and Geraldine (Rowley) Hegge.

He grew up in Crawfordsville fishing the Calapooia River and roaming the hills around Scott Mountain. He attended Crawfordsville Elementary School and Sweet Home Jr. High and High School.

Scott met Sandi, his “First Wife,” on the school bus. They married at the Crawfordsville Church in 1981 and shared 34+ years together. Tthey loved to go for drives, “Just to see where this road leads us.” Scott also loved to tie flies, hunt, fish, camp, garden, and spend time with family and friends.

After high school, Scott worked for a short time at Boise Cascade in Sweet Home. He joined the team at Entek International in Lebanon shortly after its inception in 1987. Through those 28 years, he had several opportunities to go to England and Ohio for the company and made many lifelong friends there. He also considered Entek his “mission field.”

Having lost his dad at 15, Scott had a heart for kids in the area that didn’t have a father figure. That, combined with his love for the outdoors, led to his annual fishing derby. His desire was that every child would go home with enough basic equipment to “throw a line in on their own.” This last spring, he saw that happen at the tenth annual derby as fifty kids went home with brand new fishing poles.

He had a passion for serving God and loving God’s people. In 2001, Scott established a “firewood ministry” and provided wood for many families in need over the years. He was a part of many other events through Crawfordsville Community Church, including The Turkey Shoot each November, mission trips to Mexico, Vacation Bible School, and, most recently, the Live Nativity.

Scott loved Sandi completely. He loved his three, and eventually six, kids, unimaginably.

Most of all, he loved Jesus, and he loved God’s people unconditionally. He lived his faith quietly by example, and he longed for others to know Jesus, too.

He is survived by: his wife, Sandi; children Sean and Laci of Sweet Home, Aaron and Mallory of Sweet Home, and Chelsea and Gregory Castaneda of Albany; granddaughters Madz (4 years), Aubz (3 years), and Melody Laine (expected March 2016); parents Mike and Geraldine Smith of Lebanon; siblings LeRoy and Karen of Sweet Home, Mike of Hood River, Beth and Ron Blackwell of Crawfordsville, Sharon and Tom Wall of Crawforsdsville, Casper and Heidi of Sweet Home, and Celinda Gourley of Independence; along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A celebration of Scott’s life will be held Monday, November 30, at the Crawfordsville Elementary School Gym in Crawfordsville at 11:00 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Crawfordsville Community Church in Scott’s honor.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.