Calvin Nathaniel McNair

In the wee hours of Monday morning, June 29th, long- time Lakeview resident, Calvin McNair passed away at home.  Born to Alfred David McNair and Elsie Mae Watson on September 25, 1943, at the Indian Agency in Sprague River. At the age of 12, he became a resident of Lakeview, Oregon.  Calvin was a Northern California Pit River Indian from the Madesi Band

Calvin learned to ride horseback as a very small child and spent many years on the rodeo circuit, riding bulls, team roping, participating in the wild cow milking contest and the wild horse race with his brothers and nephews. 

Calvin began training to be a butcher as a teenager working for Noman Bond of Bond Meat Co, in Lakeview and continued butchering all his adult life.  Calvin also worked many years for the Reed Ranch on the Westside of Lakeview where he learned to operate haying equipment, doctor livestock, participate in the yearly brandings, and drive cattle to the mountains and back each year.  He worked in the lumber industry as a heavy equipment operator, driving truck, watering roads, hauling logs, and driving a forklift for Woodgrain Millworks, Inc.  He worked for the Perlite mines in North Lake County and also the Rock Quarry.  He spent his life helping out numerous ranching friends hauling cattle and hay, branding, and taking care of stock.

Calvin loved nothing more than sitting around a campfire swapping stories about his childhood and the many adventures he had growing up.  He loved family get-togethers, hunting, fishing, and driving through the mountains.  He was a great cook and loved showing off his homemade rolls.

Calvin had 1 child, Elizabeth Rose McNair who was the pride of his life and 5 grandchildren, Kaydden, Bridgett, Kaleb, Lavinia, and Jacquelyn.

He was preceded in death by both parents, his brothers: Midge, Norman, Vernon and Austin as well as his sister: Ruth, Jeannette and Ruby.  Surviving siblings are Sadie Fisher and Jim McNair as well as numerous nieces and nephews, all of which he loved dearly.

A celebration of Calvin’s life will be held at a later date.

Desert Rose Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Calvin Nathaniel McNair, please visit our floral store.