Vivan Omer McDole

Dec. 14, 1929 – Apr. 19, 2022

“Bud” McDole

V.O. “Bud” McDole passed away peacefully on April 19, 2022 surrounded by family after a short stint with Acute Leukemia.

He was born in Monterey Park, CA on December 14, 1929. His early years were spent outside of Vancouver and then Bothell, WA. There he developed a love of nature and the outdoors becoming an avid hunter and fisherman. He spent many hours with friends and family over the years, enjoying these pursuits.

In more recent years when he couldn’t hunt anymore, he focused on the wild Snow Geese that migrate to Skagit Valley every winter. He learned all that he could about them, wrote articles published in The Herald and led tours for others in the retirement community.

He married Ruth Lucille Capp in 1950 after meeting at SPU and began his work career at IBM as a Sales Executive that spanned 32 years. This took them to California, Connecticut and back to Seattle.

They raised 5 children during their 59 years together, all of whom attended their Alma Mater, SPU. He thoroughly enjoyed being involved in the lives of his 10 grandchildren.

He devoted much time his entire life to supporting Seattle Pacific University. He served on the Board of Trustees for 24 years, 12 years as Chairman. He was a fervent participant and cofounder of the Falcon Club at Seattle Pacific and attended basketball games regularly with his wife, Lucy. For his significant and distinguished service to the University and his lifetime achievements, Bud was recognized as an Emeritus Trustee in 1995, given an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 1996, presented a Medallion Award in 2002, and awarded the Falcons Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement award in 2007.

At 92, he was still active in his Warm Beach Senior Community planning and participating in musical events, previously serving on the Residents Council, Community Board and assisting with the “Lights of Christmas”.

He loved gardening and helped to re- landscape much of the grounds around the Senior Community as well as create and maintain the Orchid garden on campus.

His love for God and family, as well as others was evident in his everyday life. His exuberance for living fully was contagious to those around him. He was devoted to his wife of 11 years, Mary Belle Timm McDole. He routinely checked up on all of his kids including his stepchildren.

Bud was dearly loved by nearly everyone who knew him.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Lucille in 2010, and his eldest daughter Heather in 2020. He is survived by his current wife, Mary Belle Timm McDole, his four remaining children, Kevyn (Mike) Vinson of Canton, GA, Tamara McDole Whitney of Seattle, Gregory (Lorri) McDole of Renton, and Randall (Kerry) McDole of Bend, OR. He also cherished his stepchildren Steve (Strel)Timm, Sharon (Tom) Bilbro, Sharleen (Bill) Larson and Shelley (Paul) Casale along with a host of nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM on June 23, 2022 at Cedar Lodge Chapel Warm Beach Conference Center, 20800 Stanwood Road, Stanwood, WA, USA.