Fredrick (Jack) David Mcbride

Jack was born May 3, 1930, in Deer Park, Washington, the second son of Fred E. McBride and Ruth V. McBride (Virginia, Nee Brazelton). Jack’s older brother was James McBride (1928 - 2022).

While Jack was still a young boy, the family moved to Longview, Washington, where Jack’s father found work at a paper mill. This is where Jack spent most of his childhood and teen years. He attended R.A. Long High School and graduated in 1948.

After high school, Jack first spent one year in Michigan. However, he chose to enlist in the US Navy rather than return to college for his second year. He was stationed in Oahu as an aircraft maintenance specialist (AD2) in 1950 and was honorably discharged in 1954.

He became a counselor for the YMCA Loowit summer camp in the shadow of Mount St. Helens on Spirit Lake, where he met his future wife, Helen Lorraine Lund. They were married in 1956 and enjoyed 67 family-filled years together until his passing. Mount St. Helens played a prominent role in his life; he climbed the peak dozens of times and led numerous others to the summit, introducing many to a lifetime of outdoorsmanship.

Jack graduated from the University of Oregon with a BA in Architecture in 1959. He immediately gained a professional position as an interior design architect with Douglas Bennett Designs, Inc. in Seattle, where he remained employed through 1975. He subsequently held similar positions as an architect with Bank and Office Interiors and the architectural firm Wright, Gildow, Hartman, and Teegarden. He started his own interior design business in 1980 and eventually retired in 1994.

After retirement, Jack and Helen relocated to Long Beach Peninsula in 1998, a place they had dreamed of retiring to since before they were married. Jack designed and supervised the construction of the oceanfront home of their dreams, a special haven for family and friends to enjoy the beach, campfires, good company, and endless views of sea and sky. They lived there until 2018, when they relocated to Burien, Washington.

Jack had many passions in life: he was an artist, painter, sculptor, beachcomber, builder, and landscaper. Most notably he loved the wilderness and landscape of the Pacific Northwest. He was an avid hiker and peak-bagger, taking himself, friends, and family on many adventures deep into the beautiful wilderness he was so fortunate to have in his backyard.

Throughout his life Jack was a deeply spiritual man, always involved in the church, and along with Helen, was a devoted member of several Lutheran congregations, most notably Saint John Lutheran Church in Seattle, and Ocean Park Lutheran Church in Ocean Park, Washington, and most recently Peace Lutheran in West Seattle.

Jack passed away peacefully at home on March 23, 2023, surrounded by family. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Helen; three children, Kay of Longview, Washington, David of Seattle, Washington, and Janey (Bob) of Burien, Washington; five grandchildren, Chris (Tonya), Aaron, Steve (Kristen), Josh, and Sammy; and seven great-grandchildren, Hope, Tristen, Abigail, Ava, Eisley, Olive, and Otto.

A private family burial ceremony will take place at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington, on Friday, April 14th.  A public memorial service will be held Sunday, April 16, 2023 at 2 pm at Peace Lutheran Church, 8316 39th Ave SW, in Seattle,

In lieu of flowers and in light of his passion for sharing the outdoors with others and his love of  Mt. St. Helens,  donations may be made to Mount St. Helens Institute, 42218 NE Yale Bridge Rd, Amboy, WA 98601, ( https://www.mshinstitute.org/give/ ).

To share your condolences and memories of Jack, please visit his Tribute Wall, located above.

- Care & Arrangements Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home -