T. NOBLE MCBRIDE

T. Noble McBride was born in Belgrade, Ne. on September 26, 1930, to Cecil and Opha McBride. He passed away on Monday, October 15, 2012, at the age of 82. Noble was raised on a farm in Nebraska where he learned to work the land at a very young age. He attended a one-room schoolhouse where his cousin Phebe Randles was the teacher. He lived in Nebraska until the age of 13, when in 1933, his family moved to California. Noble attended Washington Union High School in Easton. He served in the United States Army as a Sgt. 1st Class in the 40th Infantry Division as a Section Leader for heavy weapons, from February 1952 to November of 1953, during the Korean War. Noble returned home and attended Heald 4 C's College, in Fresno, where he obtained his General Building Contractor's License. His career spanned over 50 years. Noble was a Master Craftsman and was able to design, build, repair, remake, or renew anything he touched. His work was his passion. He passed along much of his building knowledge to his family, the young men who worked for him, and to his grandson. His life was filled with a new joy the day his grandson, Chad, was born. Noble was an active part of Chad's life from infancy to the present. Noble was able to come home early from work to spend time with him every day until Chad started school. After that he would pick Chad up from school to spend time with him each week. Noble was happy walking around the property watching Chad investigate and learn about nature, teaching him to drive a truck and a back hoe at 10 years old, and working with him to build things. Noble was a friend to everyone. He never uttered a cross word, but chose to use each opportunity to teach a lesson when things went wrong. He was a kind and gentle man who was loved by all who knew him. The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Wingert and Carrie; Dr. Schiff and Anna; Dr. Ibrahim and Stacy; and to Hinds Hospice, for all of their loving care. Noble was preceded in death by his brothers Dick and Shorty McBride. He is survived by Joni McBride, his wife; his son, Butch Burgess and his wife Kathy; and his grandson, Chad, of Fresno; his son, Barry Burgess, of Clovis; his sister-in-law, Billie McBride, of Mariposa; many nieces and nephews; and his foreman of 32 years, Gary Kile. He is also survived by many life-long friends that became family to him. A Celebration of Noble's Life will be held at the Trinity Community Church, located at 12168 N. Willow, north of Copper Road, in Clovis, Ca. on Friday, October 26, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, Remembrances may be made to the Trinity Community Church, 12168 N. Willow Ave, Clovis, Ca. 93619.