June 8, 1930-Oct. 1, 2005
John Howard McWade Jr., 75, of Springfield died on Oct. 1, 2005 after a battle with cancer.
He was born on June 8, 1930 in The Dalles to John “Howard” McWade Sr. and Edith L. (Crews) McWade. He attended high school in Philomath and studied forestry at Oregon State University.
He served in an armored division of the Oregon National Guard for nine years before joining the Oregon Department of Forestry in 1949. During a 43-year career with the ODF that began in Sweet Home, Mr. McWade was a wildland firefighter and leader until his retirement as Eastern Lane District Forester in 1991.
During his career, Mr. McWade was the number-one fire incident commander for Oregon for many years and was frequently called on to assume command of the state’s largest and most dangerous wildfires. In addition to his major conflagration duties, Mr. McWade held senior positions in Sweet Home, Gold Beach and Pendleton.
As a mentor and leader, Mr. McWade also contributed in many ways to the communities where he lived. He was active in the Elks, Rotary Club, Lions Club, Scouting and various historical societies and parks departments. He received numerous awards and recognitions for his community work and involvement with the Oregon Historical Society.
Proud of his Irish heritage, Mr. McWade researched his roots in Canada, Ireland and elsewhere. One highlight of his life was visiting his late father’s ancestral home in Loughgall, County Amagh, Northern Ireland in 1998. He made friends and connected with his family in Ireland.
Mr. McWade married his wife of 53 years, Marilyn, in 1952 while both worked for the Oregon Department of Forestry. They raised a family, worked together and traveled the world following their retirement.
He was proud of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren, most recently his grandson, John Welch, who just completed a long tour of duty in Iraq and returned Sept. 28 with two Purple Hearts.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Oct. 5 at the First Nazarene Church in Albany on HIll Street. A private service will be held at Restlawn Cemetery in west Salem, where Mr. McWade will be buried beside his wife’s parents.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust.
The Major Family Funeral Home is handling arrangements.