Mar. 13, 1929 - Jul. 5, 2025
RUPERT – On Saturday, July 5, 2025, Max Ray Sunderland passed away at home surrounded by loved ones. He was 96 years old.
Max was born in Blue Springs, Nebraska, on March 13, 1929, to Amos and Hattie Sunderland. At the age of eight, he moved with his family to Oregon, where they eventually settled outside of Salem and raised 12 kids—four boys and eight girls.
In 1947, at 18 years old, Max followed in his big brother’s footsteps and enlisted in the United States Navy where he served in the Pacific Reserve Fleet before transitioning to active duty at the start of the Korean War. From 1950 to 1952, Max served as an Engineman aboard the U.S.S. John W. Thomason, a Navy destroyer.
While serving in the western pacific, Max received a letter from a girl back home named Patricia Sayles. Pat grew up down the street from Max and ran around with his younger sister, Norma. He wrote back and a budding romance began. When he left the service in 1952, Max returned to Salem and took Pat on a date. On September 14, 1952, they married in a double wedding alongside his best friend, Arnold Baumann, and her best friend, Norma Sunderland—who was also Max’s younger sister.
Shortly after, the newlyweds moved to Klamath Falls, Oregon, where they welcomed their first child, a daughter named Connie, while Max studied auto electricity and mechanics at the Oregon Technical Institute. He graduated in 1955, and went to work at the Otto J Wilson Buick Dealership in Salem. They welcomed their second daughter, Debbie, soon after, and their son, Michael Kyle, joined the family three years later.
In 1958, Max was picked out of 60,000 veteran applicants to homestead a farm in Idaho. The following year, he moved his family to Minidoka, where he set to work building their farm from the ground up. Their youngest daughter, Janice, arrived in 1962, and for the next four decades, Max operated a dairy and farmed the land alongside Pat and their four children until his retirement. His devotion to Pat never slowed as he continued taking her on dates well into his 90s. When he passed on July 5, 2025, Pat and their children were lovingly by his side.
Max is survived by his beloved wife of 72 years, Pat; and their children, Connie (Kirk) Lawrence, Debbie (Tim) McCarthy, Kyle (Barb) Sunderland, and Janice (Rod) West. He is also survived by his four younger sisters, Norma, Margie, June, and Linda. Max was the proud grandfather of 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Amos and Hattie Sunderland; three brothers, Henry (Hank), Ralph, and James (Jimmy); four sisters, Dorothy (Dot), Bette, Gladys, and Mary; and his dear friend, Arnold.
A private graveside service will be held at Rupert Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home of Burley.
