Underwater demolition expert for US Navy during WWII Bernard Charles McDermaid died March 25, 2008, at his home near Cabool. He was the third child and only son of Agnes (Rogers) McDermaid and Stephen James McDermaid. He was born on Oct. 28, 1915 at the family homestead near Caputa, S.D.
Friends and relatives called him “Mac” or “Bernie.” He was an expert in many types of technical work. His underground mining experience and pipe-fitting training led to underwater demolition for the United States Navy during World War II. Veteran’s training gave him expertise in vehicle repair and he owned shops in California and Colorado, wildcatted for oil in Texas, and practiced forestry for the Missouri Department of Conservation from which he retired in 1977. His favorite occupation was that of farmer/dairyman and rancher. His first farm south of Mtn. Grove in the rural Ozarks was a dairy farm where he settled in the 1950s and his last ranch was his home near Cabool.
Bernie’s long history of farming and ranching in Missouri was the result of his love for animals, especially horses.
At nearly 93 years of age, this kind hearted man continued to enjoy the friendship of the people he met during his more than fifty years in Missouri, to care for his home place, and to shelter and care for his many horses and dogs.
Bernie was the last member of his immediate family. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife: Willie (Hedgecoke) McDermaid; and by four sisters and their husbands: Hazel and Clifford Schrader, Nellie and Raymond Roberts, Blanche and Ervin Hermann, and Ruth Rochelle.
He is survived by his two step-sons, James Barrett and Bill Barrett; several nieces; nephews; cousins; and friends who will miss him very much.
Graveside services were held Tuesday, April 1, at 2 p.m., in the Denlow Cemetery with the Rev. Gail “Bud” Scherer officiating. Full military honors were given at the cemetery by The American Legion Post 30 and The Lima Team Burial Detail with Jared Moore serving as bugler. Burial was in the Denlow Cemetery under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mtn. Grove.
