Lewis "Lew" McLaren

October 17, 1935 - July 29, 2020

Lewis McLaren passed away Wednesday July 29, 2020 with his Wife and children by his side. He was born October 17, 1935 in San Mateo CA to Lewis Glen McLaren Sr and Edith (Shaw) McLaren. He moved to Medford OR 1949 and graduated Medford High 1953. Following high school he attended Oregon State University where was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. His sophomore year he met his future wife Carol Randall. He graduated OSU with a BS in Crop Sciences and married Carol in 1957. Following graduation he was commissioned in the US Army as an artillery officer stationed at Fort Sill OK. > > The couple moved back to Medford OR in 1958 and started their family with daughters Diane in 1958 and Nancy in 1960. The family moved back to Corvallis in 1962 and the family grew when son Scott was born in 1965. Lew earned MS in Bio Chemistry 1967 worked in the OSU department of Agricultural chemistry until 1983. Lew & Carol purchased Alexander’s Deli in 1982 and enjoyed serving friends and family delicious meals for the next four years. Around this same time Lew began a 20 year careen driving school bus for Corvallis school district and driving fire crews each summer. > > Lew was a member of the BPO Elks for 59 years serving as ER at the Corvallis Elks in 1980-1981. He spent countless hours serving the community and raising money for a number of charities > > Lew’s first love was spending time with his large expended family, followed closely by music and preforming in Community Theater. He played ukulele with the Young At Heart Singers at care centers in the Linn-Benton area and performed in a number of plays with the Majestic Theater and Corvallis Community Theater starting with Cinderella & ending with Cats some of his favorites included Little Shop of Horrors, Fiddler on the Roof, Damn Yankees, and Music Man. He shared his love of theater by establishing the Drama Squad with the ARC of Benton County where directed a number of plays performed by the clients > > Lew is survived by his wife Carol Randall McLaren, daughters Diane Griffin (Guy), Nancy Cooksey (Jeff), and son Scott McLaren (Alicia) 10 Grandchildren and 8 Great- Grandchildren, his Brother-in-law Jim Randall (Cheryl) and Nephews Bill and Bob McLaren . He was proceeded in death by his parents, bothers Scott and William McLaren, & granddaughter Miranda Leigh Beaver > > A funeral mass will be held at St Mary’s Catholic Church Friday August 7th at 11:00am > > In lieu of flowers, Lew has requested donations sent to the Elks Youth Eye Services (EYES) you can send your donations directly to the funeral home.