Jerry James McReal

Jerry James McReal was born April 3, 1930, in Cheyenne, Wyoming to James McReal, who had emigrated from Northern Ireland, and Lucille Deveny. He died on August 19, while vacationing in Victoria, B.C.

Jerry was well-known by curriculum personnel and school principals throughout the Northwest. He represented Laidlaw, McGraw Hill and Scholastic and received many awards for his textbook adoptions. In addition, he had his own educational publishing company for 17 years.

Before entering the book business, Jerry was a teacher at St. Helens and in Sisters and served as principal of Sisters Elementary School in the 1950s. His love for Central Oregon prompted him to buy property at the new Black Butte Ranch in the mid-'70s, where he built a vacation home.

Although he lived in Salem and Wilsonville over the years, Jerry loved the Sisters Jazz Festival and was a volunteer for many years. After moving to Black Butte Ranch, he also volunteered at the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce, which he loved.

He awarded scholarships to Sisters High School seniors who were planning to enter the education field in the 1990s and was always so pleased to be invited to graduations and weddings.

He was a graduate of Oregon College of Education (now Western Oregon University) and was honored to lead the commencement processional in 2004, representing the class of 1954. Although his degree was from OCE, he was an avid Duck fan and was seldom seen without his U of O cap.

He was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Desert in Palm Desert.

He married Patricia Beaudoin in 1957, and they had two sons, Michael and Marshal. In June, 2006 he married Barbara Dixon after many years together, and they divided their time between the Black Butte Ranch cabin and Bermuda Dunes, California.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Barbara; sons Michael, Thurmont, MD and Marshal, Seattle, Washington; Michael's wife Marianna and two grandsons, Ian and Thomas; stepdaughter, Elizabeth Carlson, Salem; stepson, Andrew Dixon, Vancouver, Washington; his beloved sister, Patricia, and her husband Don VanHees; three nieces - Julia VanHees-Aidner, Beverly Hills, Leann Martin, Eugene, Traci Oberoi, Salem; four nephews, Kurt VanHees, Maraga, California, and Chris VanHees, Seattle, Sean Hassler, California, Tim Hassler, Salem; sister, Shiela Neill of London; and 10 nieces and nephews in Northern Ireland.

He was preceded in death by his mother, father, brother Ray McReal; and sister Maureen Sloan of Northern Ireland.

A celebration of life will be held at the Unitarian Church, 5090 Center St. NE in Salem on Thursday, September 6, at 3 p.m., followed by his last great party. All friends are invited to come give Jerry a grand send-off.

In lieu of flowers, contributions maybe made to the Jerry McReal Scholarship Fund, Western Oregon University Foundation, 345 N. Monmouth Ave., Monmouth, OR 97361.