Jacob Daniel Baergen

Major Jacob Daniel Baergen, United States Army (Ret.) Major Jacob D. Baergen, age 83, of Knappa Oregon, passed away on April 19th, 2026 with his wife, daughter, and son in law by his side.  A proud Veteran of the Vietnam War, Major Baergen served in the United States Army for 22 years, completing multiple tours and earning several citations and honors including the Bronze Star Medal for his distinguished service.

Born on October 12, 1942, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, he graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Education. He went on to earn his Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling at Oklahoma City University. Major Baergen was drafted into the Army in 1965. After completing Officer Candidate and Military Police School, Major Baergen received orders to go to Vietnam where he spent one year. The last two years of his Military Career were spent in Fairbanks, Alaska where he was the Professor of Military Science for the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program at the University of Alaska. Major Baergen spent one week in retirement then entered the Alaska State Trooper Academy as one of the oldest law enforcement recruits at age 50.

After twelve years of being a patrol officer in a specialized traffic unit, a member of the SERT team, a Field Training Officer, and a state law enforcement representative of community policing programs, Major Baergen entered retirement doing what he and his beloved wife of sixty- four years, Alice had talked about since their first year of marriage in 1962. He purchased a 29-acre ranch in Knappa Oregon and appropriately called it Kickin’ Back Ranch with the goal of taking in old and retired horses to let them live out their lives in Peace and happiness. He and Alice spent many afternoons on the deck their son built overlooking the pasture watching the horses and drinking fine wine.

Major Baergen is survived by his loving wife Alice Jane Baergen, their daughter Shannan Leigh Mustacci and her husband Brian, his four grandchildren, Jamie Danielle, Matthew Baergen, Kristin Scott, and Mariah Vivian, along with three great grandchildren and one on the way. He is preceded in death by his son, Daniel Scott Baergen.

A celebration of life with full Military Honors will be held at the family ranch at 92531 Koppisch Rd, Astoria OR, 97103 on Saturday June 6 , 2026 at 1:30pm. Dan’s wish was for his ashes to be spread in his most favorite, peaceful places on Kickin’ Back Ranch and for his friends and family to celebrate his life with good food and drink.