Published: October 10, 2008 05:41 pm         

John M. McMath

FORTUNA, Calif. — A celebration of life was held for the Rev. John M. McMath, 90, Fortuna, Calif., on Oct. 3 in Fortuna United Methodist Church.

He passed away at Sequoia Springs Assisted Care, in Fortuna, on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008, of Parkinson’s Disease.

He was born Feb. 25, 1918, in Wagon Mound, N.M., to James and Iva Countryman McMath. When John was 7 years old, his family moved to Upland, Ind.

John was a hard worker. He learned creativity and diligence from his Grandpa Countryman when he was just a boy. John became an Eagle Scout. He won a trip to the Chicago World’s Fair for selling the most Indianapolis News subscriptions in Upland. He was on the basketball and swim teams in both high school and college. After high school, John was an apprentice printer. He then decided to follow his calling to become a minister.

John was married Sept. 8, 1940, to Mary V. Ladd. They attended college in Illinois and Michigan. To support his wife and first child, John worked on the railroad and served two churches. In 1944, the family moved to Atlanta, Ga., where John graduated from Emory University’s School of Divinity.

He was the pastor of Methodist churches in Georgia and Indiana. The family moved to California in 1951, where John served churches in South Sacramento, Rio Linda, Crescent City, Porterville, Atwater, Auburn and again in Rio Linda. These churches flourished under his leadership. The McMaths helped with rescue and recovery during both the Crescent City tsunami and 1964 flood. “Mac” organized youth activities in his churches, including a work camp to Alaska. He directed several church camps within the California-Nevada Conference. John loved to teach classes in Christian theology. He put his thoughts into his book, “The Now of Our Human Destiny.”

The McMath clan of seven camped and made many cross-country auto trips. A highlight in John’s life was traveling with fellow ministers throughout Europe and the Holy Land in 1954.

In 1980, John and Mary retired to their property in the foothills of El Dorado County.

The McMaths spent the summers of their retirement years on their farm in Walton, Ind. Each grandchild enjoyed a personal visit with their grandparents in Indiana.

Rev. McMath is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary, and their five children, Ruth Guinane, San Luis Obispo County, Calif., Jo Anne Center (Rick), Fortuna, Calif., John McMath, Jr. (Carol), West Linn, Ore., James McMath (Sabine), Santa Fe, N.M., and Jane Chang (Jerry), Dinuba, Calif.; nine grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Ellen Lambert, Warsaw, Ind.; and his brother, Jim McMath (Marjorie), Walton, Ind.

The family is very grateful to all the staff at Sequoia Springs, where John spent the last four years of his life. Those who work in the Sunny Springs unit are especially loved and appreciated.

Pastor Ray Dowdy honored Rev. John with his personal words of admiration.

Donations may be made in John’s memory to The Endowment Board of the United Methodist Church, 37 W. Yokuts, Suite A-3, Stockton CA 95207; Hospice of Humboldt, 2010 Myrtle Ave., Eureka CA 95501; or Fortuna United Methodist Church, PO Box 246, Fortuna CA 95540.

Goble’s Fortuna Mortuary, Fortuna, Calif., was in charge of arrangements.