The Applegater

2 Fall 2021 Applegater OBITUARIES The Reverend Ronald 'Ron' McKay August 8, 1954 – July 22, 2021 Ron McKay, pastor, teacher, chaplain, soldier, firefighter, woodworker, choir director, multi-instrumentalist, storyteller, basketball junkie—never afraid to go for the high note, always bringing the fun—the ne w best friend you didn't know you needed, generous and d e d i c a t e d h u s b a n d , f a t h e r, a n d grandfather, died on ursday, July 22, at the age of 66. Ron pastored Ruch Community Bible church for 40 years, volunteered as chaplain and firefighter in the Applegate Valley for 30, and served in the Army National Guard for 20, rising in the ranks from first lieutenant to colonel and finally serving as Oregon state chaplain. He served with Multinational Forces and Observers in Egypt for nine months, was on active duty in Iraq for one year, and again on active duty in Louisiana for one month in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. He viewed firefighting and military service as extensions of his ministry and relished the unique challenges and adventures they involved. "Ron was truly a man of God, someone who really personified the Golden Rule," said Paul Tipton. "And he was also very much a community builder, involved with people, activities, and organizations in the Applegate Valley as a strong and positive force. He was a firefighter and emergency responder and also the chaplain to go to after a particularly traumatic call. I just want to recognize him as someone who 'walked his talk' and lived his life to make the Applegate Valley the special place it is for us all." Ron is survived by his wife, Martha, to whom he was married for 44 years; his sons, Dan, John, and Mark; his daughter-in-law, Crystal; and his grandsons Simon, who just learned to ride Grandpa's Honda 90, Mark, who fills his family's homes with art, and an, who brings joy to everyone he meets. Ron will be so missed. A memorial service was held at Ruch Community Bible Church on August 7. time and donations. The Four Way Community Foundation has kicked off the fundraising with a $5,000 grant. e committee estimates 18 months to complete this project. You can help support the building of Dragonfly Place by joining the APWC at a fundraising celebration on the Autumn Equinox, September 22, at Red Lily Vineyard. We will present a spin on our annual outdoor film festival by bringing in Alice DiMicele, an outstanding singer- Walter Schmidt, beloved husband of Joyce Schmidt for 71 years, died August 27, 2020, at the fine old age of 90. He is survived by his wife, six children, 17 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. His family wishes to invite the community to "Walt's Remembrance" at noon Sunday, September 26, 2021, at 3654 Upper Applegate Road, Jacksonville. Please bring your Walt stories and a potluck dish or hors d'oeuvre. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to either Friends of Ruch Librar y, 7919 Highway 238, Jacksonville, OR Walter Eugene Schmidt III November 6, 1929 – August 27, 2020 97530 or the Applegater, PO Box 14, Jacksonville, OR 97530. See you there. Casual dress. Willie (William Wayne) Warwick, 65, passed away June 21 at his Williams home, after a brief bout of cancer. Willie was a longtime Williams resident and graduate of Grants Pass High School. rough his company, Good Sound Construction, Willie built beautiful custom homes for families throughout the region and also provided remodels, decks, and furniture for clients. Best known, however, for his world- class fiddle playing, Willie entertained Josephine County residents with his band, Willie and the Poor Boys, often playing for the dining crowd on the deck at Galice Resort. He and his high school buddies, the Hurrman Burrman band, reunited each year for a popular bash at Plaisance Winery. Willie is survived by his son, Travis Warwick, and granddaughter, Scarlett William 'Willie' Wayne Warwick February 22, 1956 – June 21, 2021 War wick. He leaves behind his life partner, Nicky Caballera, and legions of friends, music students, and fans who will miss hearing "The Orange Blossom Special" and how "e Devil Went Down to Georgia." ■ BETTY AND BARNEY SMITH Continued from page 1 The Academy, the second winery in the Applegate (after Valley View), was established by Barney and Betty in 1995 and bonded in 1996. The Smiths did their own vineyard work on 3,000 vines of cabernet, pinot, chardonnay, and merlot grapes, which produced 12-13 tons of grapes annually and from which Barney and Betty made 300-400 cases of estate wine annually. e pinot noir grapes were Betty's "babies." "She wouldn't let anyone else touch them," says their daughter, Eileen Smith. at tender loving care paid off when e Academy's 1997 pinot noir won a gold medal at an American Wine Society competition. Barney was the wine maker and Betty the vineyard manager. ey both enjoyed pouring wine for guests in the wine-tasting room. Barney, a retired professor, loved instructing people about wine making and telling tales. Betty, even when she was using a walker to get around, enjoyed being with the friends, tourists, and travelers who came to taste the wines. Two specialty wines at e Academy were the Emeritus (Barney was a professor emeritus) and Applegate Gold, named, Barney said, because "there's gold in them thar vineyards." As for the name of the winery, Barney, who was a graduate of Stanford, said, "If a university can call itself a farm [Stanford's nickname], then a vineyard and winery can call itself an academy." Applegate vintners esteemed Barney's position in the community. Herb Quady, of Quady North, says, "ough he had started to retire by the time I arrived in 2003, his impact on the wine community was evident to me, and his wines were found on the lists of our region's best restaurants." Before starting his career as a vigneron (a grower of wine grapes) and a vintner (a maker of wines), Barney taught the MBA program at the University of Michigan. In preparation for his new career, he apprenticed at Seven Lakes Vineyard, in A plaque honors Barney Smith for founding the Applegate Valley Appellation. Bottles with The Academy label were highly prized. Fenton, Michigan, and attended classes in enology at the University of California, Davis. en he and Betty moved to the Applegate, where they discovered the special nature of the Applegate as a wine- growing region and the community of vintners, enologists, viticulturists, and sophisticated wine lovers of the Applegate. e Academy is now run by one of the Smiths' two daughters, Eileen Smith, who is looking forward to help from her sister, Carolyn Smith, as soon as Carolyn is able to move to the Applegate. Diana Coogle diana@applegater.org ■ DRAGONFLY PLACE Continued from page 1 Grants and donations will pay to have this area at Cantrall Buckley County Park made into "Dragonfly Place," dedicated to Agnes Baker Pilgrim and her work as the Voice for the Voiceless. Photo: Janelle Dunlevy/APWC. songwriter and long-time ally of Agnes Baker Pilgrim, and showing some short video clips featuring Grandmother Aggie. is community event is open to all and serves as a fundraiser for the work of our cultural and education committees. Festivities begin at 6:30 pm with music starting at 6:45 pm and videos starting after sunset. For more information, visit our website at apwc.info. Janelle Dunlevy Applegate Partnership Cultural Committee Janelle@apwc.info

• Cover