Max Duane Renick, age 81, was called home early Christmas morning after a courageous battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
He was born on Jan. 13, 1936 in La Grande the only child to Lowell “Sam” Renick and Irma Samuelson.
Max spent his early childhood years in La Grande, where he attended grade school and developed his love for the trumpet after teaching himself to play a toy bugle.
His family later moved to Umatilla, where he graduated from Umatilla High School in 1955, lettering in basketball, baseball and football. He belonged to several clubs and was voted outstanding member in band.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1958 and attended basic training in Fort Hood, Texas. In 1959, he sailed out of New York Harbor to Bremerhaven, Germany on the USNS General Simon B. Buckner and was stationed in Friedberg. There he rented his first VW Bug, traveling the sights of Europe, which began his lifelong passion for the VW Beetle.
Max married Shirley Voorhees in 1961, with whom he had three “favorite” daughters. They resided in Umatilla, Pendleton and College Place, Wash. The twinkle in his eyes seemed to reflect the light he saw in his girls. He married Fran Henry Wolchik in 1980. They shared many years together in Pendleton. In 2010, he married his present wife, Loa Heideman. They made their home in Irrigon, where he lived until the time of his death.
Max lived a life of faith and trusted always in the Lord’s will. Throughout his life he was an active member in his community. He was a member of the Columbia View Community Church, Hermiston Car Club, Umatilla Museum, Umatilla Alumni Association, and the Irrigon Moose Lodge, where he was a past president. He enjoyed playing his trumpet for family and friends at birthdays, local parades, and other small events. He loved the Columbia River and the history of the area. He often reminisced of the many childhood summers spent on the river jumping off the ferry and swimming across the river to Plymouth. Max enjoyed nature, mountain air and the fresh smell of rain. He enjoyed weekend trail rides on his motorcycle with his friends and shared his love of motorcycles with his daughters, as they often tagged along to weekend races. He was a competitive motorcycle enthusiast, a member of the Blue Mountain Motorcycle Club, the flag man at the Triangle Speedway, and the best left-handed pool player around.
Max had a zest and joy for life and an extraordinary sense of humor, and was well known by his friends for his ornery shenanigans. A note from an old friend said, “Max was a real joker. Had many talents and could play that trumpet like Harry James. He could make you laugh until you felt like throwing up and would support you through the worst of times.”
He is survived by his wife, Loa Heideman Renick; daughters, Cheryl Stensrud (Chris), Carie Brosnan (Damon) and Jana Smith (Randy); stepdaughter, Cynda Ackerman (Brandon);
grandchildren, Jennifer, Bree Ann, Michael, Hailey, Carson, Conor, Shelbi, Brianne, Tanner and Dominick; and six great grandchildren. He was proud to share his birthday with his youngest great granddaughter.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved dogs, Muffy and Benjamin.
A graveside service with military honors was held on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017 at Sunset Hills Cemetery, Umatilla, with a celebration of life service following at Columbia View Community Church, Irrigon.
Donations may be made in Max’s memory to Burns Mortuary, P.O. Box 289, Hermiston, Ore., 97838.
Please sign the online condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
