Eugene Norman "Norm" McGough, 91, died Friday, Nov. 24, 2017, at Aspen Park Healthcare, Moscow, from complications of a long illness. Born July 23, 1926, to Ray and Rose McGough of Sprague, Wash., Norm lived most of his life in Moscow, attending parochial and public schools.
As a young boy he did many odd jobs, including raising a pig to sell on some unused ground near the golf course where his stepfather worked as groundskeeper. He was drafted in 1943 during World War II, serving in the engineering corps on numerous islands in the Pacific, including the Philippines and Japan. A favorite story was of gathering up a bag full of Japanese invasion currency in the Philippines and trading it in Japan for a bolt of silk to take home to his mother at the end of the war.
On his discharge in 1947, he returned to Moscow and completed his senior year of high school. Soon thereafter he started a long career as a truck driver, ending with a Teamster's retirement in 1987. His trucking career included driving for the local Rainier distributor for seven years, buying a truck with a friend and hauling locally, and finally, driving for 30 years with Garrett Freight Lines.
In 1972, he married Patricia Abbott (deceased, July 22, 2012), gaining a family and a partner for the many camping, hunting and fishing trips taken as members of the Moose Camper Club that he loved. In addition to the Moose Lodge, Norm also was a member of the Moscow Elks club.
Norm was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, three brothers and a sister. He is survived by stepsons Dwayne Abbott and wife Monica of Viola, and David Abbott and wife Mary of Viola; stepdaughter Mary Jo and husband Bill Ettenhofer of Troy; and stepson Dean Abbott and wife Holly of Moscow. In addition, he is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and numerous stepgrandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren.
A graveside service is scheduled for family and friends at 11 a.m. Thursday at Moscow Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice, in lieu of flowers.
Arrangements are under the direction of Short's Funeral Chapel, Moscow, and online condolences may be sent to www.shortsfuneralchapel.net.
