John McBride’s first job was delivering the Helena Independent Record. He has been featured in newspapers for various accomplishments, some of which are listed below. Recently, he enjoyed boasting that he reads the obituary section daily, to make sure he is not in it. At 10:50am on Wednesday, May 24, he passed peacefully in the presence of his son, David.
John was born January 4, 1933, in Denver CO, to John James McBride Sr. and Lavina Weller McBride. He grew up in Helena, MT and went to Cathedral High School, Carroll College, Gonzaga University and graduated from the University of Washington with a Masters in Electrical Engineering. While completing his MSEE, he was hired by the Boeing Company where he continued to work as an engineer and manager for 35 years on projects including: Boeing Lunar Rover, Stealth, Hydrofoil, Minuteman, AWACS and ATF.
In 1963 John married Anne Relura Todd (Lu Todd McBride) and moved to Queen Anne Hill in Seattle, WA where they raised four children. John participated in and contributed to many of his children’s activities. He was a YMCA Indian Scouts leader, a Little League baseball coach, and assisted with many other projects. He always enjoyed competitive challenges and was well known as the Boeing engineer who designed the high tech boats that won the Seafair Milk Carton Derby five years in a row. He was proud to see two generations of McBrides pilot his winning boat designs in the Green Lake Milk Carton Derby. After his retirement from Boeing, he took memoir writing classes at the Lifetime Learning Center and wrote four books of personal stories that he shared with family and friends. Since 1996 he has been composing the most memorable “McBride Christmas Letters.” His kids, family and friends fondly remember his strong spirit, ingenuity, his deep laugh and love of his family. He will be missed by many.
John is survived by his loving wife, Lu Todd McBride, his four children: Jim (Michele), Mary (Mark), Kitty (Brian), and David (Jennifer); four grandchildren: Abraham, Charlie, Juniper, and Alice; and his sister, Dorothy Flynn. A visitation and rosary will be held on Friday, June 16 from 5pm-9pm, and funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 17 with a visitation at 11:00am and the service at 12:00pm. A reception will follow. All services will be held at Butterworth Funeral Home, 520 West Raye Street, Seattle, WA 98119. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Carroll College in the name of John McBride.
