Margaret Lynn McCullough

Born November 13, 1938 in Martinez, California to Wallace Kriner Merrithew, D.D.S. and Catherine Loraine Conway Merrithew. Lynn’s father, a dentist, was a good buddy with the family doctor. The two of them were off duck hunting, miles away, when it was time for Lynn to be born. The only other doctor in the area had to be summoned to deliver. That doctor just happened to be Edwin Warren Merrithew, M.D., Lynn’s grandfather. She was very proud that his signature was on her birth certificate as attending physician.

At age two, Lynn’s family moved to Quincy, CA, where her father set up his dental practice and family home. A few years later, her other grandfather, Harry James Conway, thought she should have a pony. Lynn rode that pony all over Quincy; on streets, sidewalks, lawns, and even on the Court House steps. Folks on jury duty didn’t like walking thru or around the manure. They took their complaints to the bailiff who then talked to the judge, who talked to the Sheriff, who then talked to the dentist. In the end, Lynn took to riding east of Quincy, by the fair grounds.

Lynn attended school in Quincy thru the 5th grade. She attended school in Palm Springs, for the next two years. After school, on the weekends, and during summer break she learned “trick riding”, English riding, show jumping, and some “Roman” style riding; standing astride two horses. She added in some trick roping and performed a few times in that area.

Lynn’s family stayed in Quincy for a while before moving to a ranch in Red Bluff. There she started working with the Pro Rodeo on the weekends and during the summer. Her rodeo contracts took her to Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and California, during which time she made a lot of memories. The fondest of which was being a part of President Eisenhower’s inaugural parade (2nd Term) in 1957. She and the California Group were traveling with horses and equipment , making appearances in New Orleans, Louisiana and Texas, before she returned to school for her senior year of high school.

1960 was a good year for Lynn. She had met a guy in the Air Force, William Joe “Bill” McCullough, who she married a few months later. Lynn continued working with the Pro Rodeo circuit, finishing her rodeo career, after 10 years, by doing the Reno Rodeo. On December 28th, their son, Michael Joe McCullough was born in Red Bluff, Ca.

Lynn taught her son the “art” of trick riding and trick roping. His 1st performance was at the Intermountain Fair at the age of 7. The last rodeo, over 12 years and 548 performances , was at the Intermountain Fair Rodeo in McArthur. These rodeos covered eight states: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, Arizona, and California. Highlights being in Palm Springs, The Cow Palace, San Francisco, and stage performances in hotel lounges in Reno, Nevada.

Some of the jobs that Lynn worked at, over the years, were as a dental assistant, office clerk, PG&E Club House housekeeper, 16 years as a cook for the Fall River High School Cafeteria, and a school bus driver for Shasta College.

Lynn gave of her time and talents by doing different volunteer work as a Room Mother with Fall River Elementary School, the Hospital Guild at Mayers Memorial Hospital, Den Mother for Cub Scouts, California High School Rodeo Queen Contest and Grand Entry and Queen for Intermountain Junior Rodeo.

Lynn indeed loved her 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Private graveside services will be held for family only, under the direction of McDonald’s Chapel in Burney.