Stan McCune passed away suddenly on February 7, 2012 in Topock, AZ. He was going fishing when he left us, which was just how everyone who knew him would have wanted him to go- doing something he loved. Stan was born on November 26, 1938 in Grants Pass, Oregon to Charles Clayton McCune and Hazel Marguerite Reinkens McCune. He moved with his family to Umapine, Oregon when he was in grade school and graduated from Umapine High School. It was in Umapine that Stan met Elizabeth Hope Chandler (Skip) in the eighth grade. After graduation he attended Columbia Basin Community College in Pasco, WA on a baseball scholarship. Stan and Skip were married shortly after high school and have been steadfast partners for over fifty-five years. In 1961 Stan, Skip and their two little girls, Deb and Susan, moved to Ellensburg to work for Larry and Elsie Frazier at High Valley Ranch. Their son Chuck was born soon after their arrival in Ellensburg. In 1965 they purchased the Four O's ranch in the Fairview area. In 1984 they moved to their current home where they continued to farm and ranch until retirement. Stan was a true cowboy- he was a skilled horseman and had a keen sense for knowing how to get cattle to do exactly what he wanted. He registered his MX brand when he started his cattle herd at the age of twelve and held it for over sixty years. He farmed and ranched all his adult life. Stan and Skip bought Kittitas Hardware in the late 1980's. It was at the hardware store that he honed his considerable salesmanship skills while he continued to raise timothy hay. Always a farmer, he grew bountiful, weed-free vegetable gardens and shared his produce generously. He made the best sauerkraut anyone ever tasted. Stan was never a man to sit still for long and worked hard all his life. He had a tremendous work ethic and set a great example for his kids, grand kids, and all young people who knew him. He felt his greatest role in life was to provide for, and protect his family. In a family crisis he was always the rock and the glue that held us together. Stan was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed making huge batches of game sausage with his friends. After retirement Stan and Skip spent winters at their home in Topock AZ. They enjoyed fishing, traveling, the desert, good friends and each other. Stan is survived by his wife Skip, daughter Deb McCune Lawrence, her husband Dave, and grandson Max Lawrence of Nampa, ID, daughter Susan McCune her husband David Heath, grandson Dan Johnson and granddaughter Mary Johnson all of Ellensburg and granddaughter Sarah Johnson of Las Vegas, NV, his son Chuck, his favorite daughter-in-law Christi, and grandsons Matt and Zack McCune, all of Ellensburg. He is also survived by his sister Barbara (Earl) Elkington of Kittitas, his brother Bruce McCune of Hermiston, OR and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bud McCune, and his forever son-in-law Jim Johnson. A memorial cowboy celebration of his life will be held in the Teanaway Hall at the Kittitas County Fairgrounds (Event Center) in Ellensburg WA on February 21, 2012 at 2:00 pm. We welcome all his friends and family to come and share food and conversation. That tough cowboy loved flowers but his wish would be that hard earned money be used to benefit others. Those wishing to, may contribute to the Kittitas Public Schools Foundation, PO Box 635, Kittitas, WA 98934 or the Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame, 110 W 6th Box 374, Ellensburg, WA 98926.