Harley "Hod" Lloyd McGetrick

Harley “Hod” Lloyd McGetrick, a Navy veteran who loved horses and spent most of his free time riding the wilderness trails, branding, roping, running wild horses on Murderer’s Creek and hunting, died June 30, 2005, at Blue Mountain Hospital after a long illness. He was 75.

A graveside service was held July 6, 2005, at the Canyon City Cemetery. Pastor Andy Anderson officiated.

Mr. McGetrick was born April 10, 1930, in Prairie City to Lloyd and Clarice (Campbell) McGetrick. He attended school in Mt. Vernon and Grant Union High School. At a very young age, he learned to drive a log truck and continued in this career until his retirement in 1995. He always remarked how lucky he was to have a job he loved.

-He and Margy Stewart were married in 1949 and had a daughter, Kathy Jo. They later divorced. Harley and Arlene Carson were married in 1953. They had two sons, Jerry and Dan. They always lived in the John Day Valley, where they raised their sons. They later divorced.

-He joined the U.S. Navy in 1955 as a C.B. He spent his tour of duty in the Philippines, where he drove heavy equipment on numerous construction projects.

-Mr. McGetrick was a life member of the John Day Elks Lodge and a charter member of the Grant County Sheriff’s Posse.

-In 1961, he and his father, Lloyd, bought Berry Creek Ranch on Canyon Creek. He worked at the ranching business while still logging until 1964 when they sold the ranch.

He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Jerry.

Survivors include his daughter Kathy Ward; son Dan McGetrick; brother Herb McGetrick; sister Carla Anderson; relatives Jerod, Jeffery, Ward, Ian, Sean, and Brady McGetrick; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the John Day Ambulance Fund or Blue Mountain Hospital Home Health Care through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR, 97845.