John Douglas McBride

McBride, John Douglas 85, passed away peacefully from us Friday, December 30th, 2016. A gathering to celebrate John's life will be held between 3 and 6 p.m. on Saturday, January 7th, at the Guild Hall of St. James Episcopal Church, 3750 Douglas Avenue. John is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Flavia; his parents, Kathleen and James McBride of Wichita; and his dear siblings, Marilyn, James, Kathleen and Charles. He is survived by his younger sister, Nancy Stewart of Tyler, TX; his children: daughter, Katharine (James) O'Mara of Vancouver, Canada, sons, John (Martina) McBride of Nashville, TN, James (Jan) McBride of Overland Park, KS, Charles (Jennifer) McBride of Irvine, CA; twelve grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. John graduated from Wichita East High School, received his B.A. and J.D. in Law from Kansas University. He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity at KU. After law school he served in the United States Air Force based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. After practicing law in Wichita for five years, John returned to school receiving his Masters in Anthropology from Southern Illinois University and his Doctorate of Anthropology at Wichita State University. He was a professor of Anthropology and later Business there. He headed up both departments for a number of years. An entertaining lecturer, he was often voted best professor by students. John was forever devoted to his wife Flavia, the love of his life. We feel solace imagining them together again. He gave his children, extended family, friends and neighbors the gift of being an amazing listener. He loved an in-depth discussion on almost any topic and could always be counted on for well-considered advice. He loved music, especially jazz and classical, not to mention taking great pride in the achievements of his own family. He and Flavia, after each other, always put their children first. He was a prolific letter-writer, reader and engaging story-teller. Among his favorite authors were James Thurber and Aldous Huxley, whom he had the honor of meeting and felt a kinship with. He could be relied on for crossword puzzle answers and a game of crib. Bridge was a lifelong passion as was the game of tennis. He was an avid sports fan, especially when it came to the WSU Shockers. He possessed a witty and unique intellectual style of humour, down to the last moment. He really made us laugh. John's passion for learning, for life, never waned. His last moments with us were extraordinarily dignified and peaceful. To honour his wife Flavia's love of swimming and their enjoyment of life on the WSU campus, they created the "Flavia and John McBride Wichita State University Heskett Center Education Fund" focused on training future lifeguards and teaching adults to swim. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the fund and sent to WSU Foundation, 1845 Fairmount Street, Wichita, KS 67260-0002. Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Share tributes online at: www.dlwichita.com.