John McDermid

John Christian “Chris” McDermid, age 71, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 31, 2023 after battling brain cancer with courage, humor, and a positive outlook that never wavered.

Chris was filled with joy and shenanigans from his birthday on September 12, 1951, to John and Esther (Nelson) McDermid. His love for music was evident throughout his entire life. After earning a Bachelor of Music degree from Concordia College in Moorhead MN, he went on to teach music education to grades K – 12. The last 30 years of his teaching career were spent teaching Elementary Music for the Sauk Rapids – Rice School District, where hundreds of students knew him as “Mr. McMusic”. He was kind, gentle, loving, full of an amazing wit, and a blessing to everyone who knew him. Chris donated his body to the University of Minnesota Medical School Anatomy Bequest Program, which allowed him the opportunity to continue being a teacher following his death.

Chris met Kathy Kranz in the Fall of 1970 in Harmony Class at Concordia College, and they married in May of 1973. Rarely seen without the other, they enjoyed 50 happy years together – singing, traveling, sharing many musicals and concerts, taking long walks, enjoying a life filled with love and laughter and the absolute joy of their four children and six grandchildren.

A memorial service was held Saturday, September 30, 2023, at Atonement Lutheran Church in St Cloud, MN.