John Joseph McCormick

Jack McCormick departed this world on December 13, 2024 and wrote this before he passed:

Born during the Great Depression in Marquette, Iowa on July 26th, 1932, I was the 5th of 8 children born to Leslie and Bernice (Ryan) McCormick. Soon after, our family moved to Waukon, IA.

After graduating St. Patrick’s High School in Waukon in 1950, I joined the Navy. I attended Radio School in San Diego and was then assigned to the Amphibious Branch, serving on the USS Andromeda and later the USS Montrose. During the Korean War I had four tours to the far East including Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

After discharge from the Navy, I settled in Spokane with my brothers Bill and Jim, working at the Kaiser Aluminum plant. In 1956, I proudly helped my brother Bill’s successful campaign for election to the House of Representatives where he served until his death in 1968.

I worked in Spokane at several jobs until I joined the Washington State Patrol as a trooper-cadet, then as a radio operator in Ellensburg and later Yakima. I spent the rest of my career in Yakima, as Regional Supervisor overseeing operations in Spokane, Wenatchee, Vancouver and Yakima, until retiring in 1994.

Shortly after arriving in Yakima, I met the love of my life, Ivy Fox, who became my wife in 1961. We were blessed with two great children, Kevin and Lesley.

I coached Catholic Youth Organization baseball for eight years, beginning in T-ball and ending when Kevin started high school. I was fortunate to have the guidance and teaching from Cecil Dawson and Chuck Dahlquist who served as assistant coaches. Years later, grown men would come up and say, “Hi coach.” That they remembered me made me proud.

In 1995, our daughter Lesley was diagnosed with kidney disease. Ivy was a good match and donated one of hers. By then, Lesley was married to Scott, and they had two sons. Lesley fought the good fight, but she sadly passed in 2003.

I love to laugh and make others laugh as well. I am thankful for my good friends Bernie and Marilyn Harrison who introduced me to Intarsia, a woodworking hobby that kept me busy. And as time went by, my skill level went up and it allowed me to sell pieces of my art.

I am thankful for Ivy and the care and love she has provided as my health deteriorated, thankful for my children and grandchildren, thankful for the ability to travel and even kiss the Blarney Stone in the travels that Ivy and I were able to make.

I am also proud to have been a member of Holy Redeemer parish since its beginning in the early 60’s. I served as lector and usher and was very active in the Holy Names Society, along with being a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus and the VFW. I have truly been blessed.

I was preceded in death by my parents, my beautiful daughter Lesley, brothers Bill and Jim, sisters Peggy, Marilyn, Marita and Regina. I am survived by my wife Ivy, son Kevin (Theresa), son-in-law Scott Brulotte (Janelle), grandsons James and John Brulotte and Sean McCormick and my sister, Sr. Anne McCormick along with numerous cousins, nephews, nieces and friends.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE SOMETHING DIFFERENT. JUST BE KIND TO EACH OTHER AND TREAT OTHERS THE WAY YOU WANT THEM TO TREAT YOU. AND REMEMBER, MOST PEOPLE ARE GOOD PEOPLE NO MATTER WHAT YOU ARE BEING LED TO BELIEVE.

A visitation for John will be held Tuesday, January 7, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Langevin El Paraiso Funeral Home, 1010 West Yakima Ave, Yakima, WA 98902. A Funeral Mass will occur Wednesday, January 8, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 1707 S 3rd Ave, Yakima, WA 98902. A committal service will occur Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at 11:45 AM at West Hills Memorial Park, 11800 Douglas Rd, Yakima, WA 98908 followed with a Reception