Obituary of Gerald Michael McBride

     Gerald Michael McBride “Mike” of Boise, passed away April 1, 2023. Born breech on November 9, 1933, weighing three pounds, he was not expected to live through the night. They wrapped him in a blanket, put him in a dresser drawer and defying the odds, he lived a healthy life for the next 89 years.

     From Mike’s journal dated November 18, 1992. “I was born in Indianola, Nebraska. At age six we moved to Scottsbluff. I quit school in the 10th grade…My brother Ed said I could not quit school while he was at home, so when he got married, I went to the wedding. I never did go back to school…I went to Hastings, Nebraska to live with my dad…In 1954 I joined the Air Force…My first assignment was in Georgia at Moody Field. I was there from 1954-1958. From there I was assigned to Iceland, that was a long year…I wanted to get close to home, so I put in for bases in Colorado and Wyoming. They sent me to Mountain Home AFB in Idaho.  I was not happy about the assignment at the time, but it was the best thing that ever happened to me.  After running wild for the better part of a year, I met the best looking girl and the nicest girl in the world. I knew at once that it was all over for me.”

     After three months of dating, Mike married Barbara Upson at Saint John’s Cathedral in Boise on September 9, 1959. His next duty stations included   Chateauroux, France, Lakenheath, England, Chanute Rantoul, Illinois, U-Tapao, Thailand, Malmstrom, Great Falls, Montana, and Bentwaters-Woodbridge, England. Mike spent his military career as a firefighter, fire instructor and fire chief. He retired as a Master Sergeant after 21 years and 3 months of duty.

     Mike went to Boise State, receiving a degree in small engine mechanics and horticulture. He loved to golf, the outdoors, gardening, adventuring, building, and designing. He was creative, always learning, raised ostrich and rhea, owned his own landscaping business, and retired again from the City of Caldwell Parks Department. Mike was fiercely dedicated to his soulmate Bobbie, family and his church. 

     He was preceded in death by his parents, Caroline “Carrie” (Colling) McBride and Glenn McBride; and all of his siblings: Joseph McBride, Eleanor Wellmann, Ed McBride, Jean Wellmann, Patricia Goodman, Virginia Harlos, and Francis McBride. 

     He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 63 years Barbara “Bobbie” (Upson) McBride; four daughters and sons-in-law, Sharon and Craig Brown, Ann and Richard Rusnak, Loraine and Wesley “Wes” Heath, Michelle and G. John Drinkwine; ten grandchildren: Amber, Joseph, Megan, Melanie, Sarah, Katie, Haley, Savannah, John and Joshua and eleven great grandchildren.

      Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, April 18th at Saint Mark’s Catholic Church, 7960 W Northview St Boise, a reception will follow.  Rite of committal will follow at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, 10100 N Horseshoe Bend Rd, Boise beginning promptly at 1pm.