John James McBride Jr.

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 this section daily, to make sure he is not in it. At 10:50 AM, Wednesday, May 24th he passed peacefully in the presence of his son David. John was born January 4th, 1933, in Denver CO, to John James McBride Sr. and Lavina Weller McBride. He grew up in Helena Montana and went to Cathedral High School and 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 Co where he continued to work as an engineer and manager for 35 years. Projects including: Boeing Lunar Rover, Stealth, Hydrofoil, Minuteman, AWACS and ATF. In 1963 he married Anne Relura Todd (Lu Todd McBride) and moved to Queen Anne Hill 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 so many 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 Boat five years in a row. He was proud to see two generations of McBrides pilot his winning boat designs in the Greenlake 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. He is survived by his loving wife Lu Todd McBride, his four children Jim (Michele), Mary (Mark), Kitty (Brian), David (Jennifer), four grandchildren Abraham, Charlie, Juniper, Alice, and sister Dorothy Flynn. A visitation and rosary will be held on Friday, June 16th from 5 – 9 pm, and Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, June 17th with a visitation at 11:00 am and the service at 12:00 pm. Reception to follow. All services to 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.

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