[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 147 (Tuesday, November 29, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: November 29, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       TRIBUTE TO MURRAY McLENDON

                                 ______


                        HON. MICHAEL J. KOPETSKI

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 29, 1994

  Mr. KOPETSKI. Mr. Speaker, time as humans is finite. How we choose to 
spend that time is very precious to us all. When one dies we are all 
saddened, not so much if the person lived a long and fruitful life, 
more so if their life was cut short. Just a few months ago a dear 
friend of mine, a friend from my high school class of 1967 at Pendleton 
High School died.
  Murray McLendon always had a smile for his fellow humans. He cajoled 
us into enjoying life, recognizing that our life could and should be 
filled. He had a special way of relating to our youth, always a 
positive force for all he encountered. Murray died young. But Murray 
touched so many lives in his short time with us. He made a lasting 
impression on so many. Our lives are richer because he walked our way. 
We miss him now but will never forget him.
  Recently the Seattle Times wrote of Murray. I ask unaminous consent 
that the Times article be placed in the Record.

                [From the Seattle Times, Sept. 9, 1994]

       Sailing buff Murray McLendon, `everyone's boat consultant'

                         (By Florangela Davila)

       A handful of people huddled atop a 22\1/2\-foot boat 
     Tuesday evening, fighting the fickle weather on Lake Union in 
     their determination to set off in the last Duck Dodge race of 
     1994.
       Linda Lathrop was captaining Woof for the first time. The 
     crew struggled among the roughly 60 boats and got off to a 
     jerky start.
       ``We really screwed up,'' Lathrop recalled. ``We were so 
     used to Mac always barking out the orders.
       ``When we finally got out, we said, `OK, Mac. We take back 
     every bad thing we've ever said about your starts.'''
       Five friends took to the water this week to pay tribute to 
     Murray ``Mac'' Andrew McLendon, a sailing enthusiast who 
     could be found regularly vying for the gold rubber-ducky 
     stickers awarded at the casual weekly races held every 
     summer.
       Mr. McLendon, 45, died Sunday at Harborview Medical Center 
     after suffering a stroke.
       The son of a forester and teacher, Mr. McLendon and his 
     sister, Mary Cutting, spent their childhood in small towns in 
     eastern Oregon. With no television, he and his sister 
     regularly devoured books, and it was through literature that 
     Mr. McLendon uncovered a passion for sailing, Cutting said.
       Conventionalism was never one of Mr. McLendon's traits.
       After earning an English degree at the University of 
     Oregon, Mr. McLendon worked as a bicycle mechanic, ski 
     instructor and school-bus driver, but he always found time to 
     coach women's soccer teams.
       He helped take the South Eugene High School girls' soccer 
     team to the state championships in 1985.
       He decided to move to Seattle eight years ago, in part 
     because his sister had moved here and because he wanted to 
     live closer to the water.
       Mr. McLendon rented boats from the Center for Wooden Boats 
     upon moving to Seattle, working at a marine supply shop and 
     repairing boats. ``He was everybody's boat consultant. He'd 
     even read about voltage systems for fun,'' said Cutting about 
     her younger brother.
       When he was 35, Mr. McLendon returned to school to earn 
     teaching credentials, though he never taught professionally.
       ``He taught Chelsea how to skip rocks, dribble a ball, how 
     to ski. He was very patient,'' said Lathrop, speaking about 
     Mr. McLendon's relationship with her daughter.
       Mr. McLendon lived in Ballard with Lathrop, Chelsea and 
     Lathrop's son, Adam.
       An avid skier, cyclist, tennis player and woodworker, Mr. 
     McLendon for the past three years worked as an engineering 
     technician for Electroimpact in Mukilteo.
       In addition to his sister, Mr. McLendon is survived by his 
     parents, Malcolm and Barbara McLendon of Anacortes; his 
     sister Tina Barron of Wenatchee; and his brother, Curt Wyrick 
     of Vancouver, Wash.
       A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. tomorrow in the 
     Thomsen Chapel at St. Mark's Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave. E. in 
     Seattle.
       The family asks that remembrances be made to the Center for 
     Wooden Boats, 1010 Valley St., Seattle, WA 98109, or to the 
     American Heart Association.

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