North Powder, Oregon
Delbert Arthur “Buz” McCanse Jr., 75, a former North Powder-area resident, died Feb. 12, 2004, at Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice House.
Plans for a memorial get-together to celebrate his life will be announced in the future through Einan’s Funeral Home at www.einansfuneralhome.com under the obituary section.
Buz was born at Metropolis, Nev., to Delbert and Bernice McCanse. He was raised on a farm near North Powder along with his eight sisters.
He remained a farm boy at heart and always did seem more natural when wearing his cowboy boots. He was a ranch hand, a railroad worker, a U.S. Marine, a college student and a fruit farmer. He was a World War II veteran and he belonged to the American Legion, Post 115.
Out at the Hanford Site, Buz was known as “Mac.” He retired as a power operator from Fluor-Daniel after 38 years at Hanford.
Buz met and married his life’s love, Colleen Dewitt, in 1955. The McCanses raised four children during the 45 years that Buz lived at Benton City, Wash.
Some of the things he enjoyed throughout his life were fishing, rock hunting, camping, reading, sitting at the table with a cup of coffee shooting the breeze and taking five-mile walks.
He always had a green thumb and could grow any tree, flower or vegetable. He took pride in sharing from his garden with friends and family. Buz also enjoyed exploring the surrounding desert with any number of his children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren, and always with his dog.
Buz wasn’t much of a traveler and preferred to stick close to home with his wife, Coll. When at home you could often find him on the front porch throwing the Frisbee to Sox Dog with Slipper Kitty close by. He was a tall, gentle man of few words, which included “mmmhu” and “haahoo!”
Buz was a master practical joker with an awesome sense of humor that he passed on to his kids. He also gave them a deep appreciation of nature and all God’s creatures.
Survivors include his loving wife of almost 49 years, Colleen; his four children, Terrie McCanse of Benton City, Wash., Reed McCanse of Olympia, Wash., Carol McCanse of Benton City and Buzzy McCanse of Richland, Wash.; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many loving friends and relatives, including seven of his eight adoring sisters, who always called him Buss.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice House or The American Parkinson Disease Association at 800/223-2732.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, March 19, 2004
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor