Tracy Victor McQuate, 63 of Ashland, passed away Thursday morning, April 7, 2016 at Hospice of North Central Ohio following a courageous battle with cancer.
Tracy was born in Ashland on March 24, 1953 to Edward Eugene and Janice Lou (nee Welsh) McQuate. He had been a resident of the Ashland area all of his life. He was a graduate of Mapleton High School class of 1971. Following his graduation Tracy joined the United States Army and served in Vietnam. While serving as a crew chief of an unarmed utility helicopter, he volunteered to rescue five injured crew men of a cargo helicopter that was shot down. His helicopter met intense automatic weapons fire as it approached the downed aircraft and during the entire rescue operation. He gathered the injured men then flew them to an Army Field Hospital near Saigon. He was honored for his action with the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism in 1973.
He worked as a machine operator for Packaging Corporation of America for 32 years retiring early this year due to his illness.
He was a member of the Ashland Eagles Club # 2178 and in his free time enjoyed fishing and hunting mushrooms.
He is survived by four sons, Eric (Nicole) McQuate of Ashland; Beau (Hettie) McQuate of Las Vegas, NV; Ben (Cherie) McQuate and Jacob (Amanda) McQuate both of Ashland; a step daughter, Karey Campbell and a step spn, Kyle Campbell; 11 grandchildren and one great grandson; his mother, Janice Welsh Morris of Ashland; step-mother, Judy McQuate of Ashland; step-father, David Sponsler of Mansfield; his siblings, Kelly (Nancy) McQuate of Grand Rapids, MI; Julie (David) Brockway of Ashland; Chris (Greg) Kaufman of Canton, GA; Andrew (Lori) McQuate and Edward McQuate both of Ashland; his special friend, Lindsay Shafer of Ashland and his best friend, Mike Heitzman of Ashland.
He was preceded in death by his father, Edward Eugene McQuate in 2006, one sister, Jane Karen Burgess in 2007 and his companion, Karen Campbell in 2012.
A gathering of family and friends will be Saturday April 16, 2016 starting at 3:00 p.m. at the Ashland Eagles Club, 400 Eastlake Dr. Ashland, Ohio. The Ashland Veterans Honor Guard will conduct military honors at 4:00 p.m. at the Ashland Eagles Club in honor of Mr. McQuate’s service to his country.
The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to the Ashland County Cancer Association, 380 E. Fourth Street, Ashland, Ohio 44805 or to Hospice of North Central Ohio, 1050 Dauch Dr., Ashland, Ohio 44805.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family by visiting denbowfh.com
Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home and Crematory assisted the family with the arrangements
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