John Roderick Sim McCormick died at home on January 19, 2025. The oldest of four children, Rod, a proud native Nevadan, was born in Reno on July 6, 1944, to John Allan and Bernita Fagan McCormick.
He lived in 12 Nevada communities until his family settled in Fallon when he was six. He graduated from Churchill County High School and Washington State University.
His studies at Hastings School of Law (now The University of California School of Law, San Francisco) were interrupted after two years when he was abruptly drafted into the United States Army. He always said, “I shouldn’t have answered; I like to camp,” as he was sent to Vietnam as an infantry staff sergeant. He long felt a sense of achievement in that not one of the infantrymen in his platoon lost their lives. Of the medals he earned, he most valued the Bronze Star, the Air Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Combat Infantry Badge.
Following his military service, he completed his law degree, was admitted to the Nevada Bar, and began practicing law in Fallon on November 11, 1971. Throughout his 40-year career, he served as a public defender, Churchill County District Attorney, Assistant City Attorney, and general practitioner with his partner Mike Mackedon. He appeared in over 35 courts at all levels throughout the State, including the Nevada Supreme Court, the Federal District Court for Nevada, and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
After returning to Fallon, Rod and his wife Susan, who were married in October of 1969, spent five years renovating the old house and acreage, which brought them much joy over the next 50 years.
Rod was kind, thoughtful, and empathetic. He had a natural curiosity and love for learning. He wanted to know everything and was constantly questioning, listening, reading, and experimenting. Rod was truly interested in the people he met—in their lives, their stories, what they thought and felt, and what food they liked. He made a lasting impression on many people.
Rod could fix or build nearly anything and knew when, where, and from whom to seek guidance. In retirement, he spent hours enjoying and tending to his chickens, his large, beautiful yard and vegetable garden, and the pond he built. He enjoyed curating the total pond ecosystem: the fish, insects, plants, ducks, geese, and water quality. He spent many idyllic hours sharing his pond with family and friends.
Rod was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved in-laws, Lois and Bill Saxton. He is survived by Susan, his wife of 55 years; his son John and daughter-in-law Gina; his siblings; his brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Fianna Saxton; his nephews Pat and Jim Saxton and their families; and his many friends, both old and new.
The family would like to acknowledge Rod’s second parents, John and Norma Achurra. We also give thanks to wonderful friends who helped give Rod such loving care at the end—Kristy Hoffmann, Marta, Jeronimo, and Patrick Silva.
The McCormick Homestead was the site of many epic celebrations, especially for Halloween and Fourth of July, complete with fireworks, jack-o’-lantern totem poles, UFOs, and Rod’s version of Burning Man—the Burning Chicken. Not to be forgotten were the carp and screw-top wine parties. The party is not over yet, nor will it be as long as memories of good times last. A celebration of Rod’s life will be held in late spring or early summer at his beloved pond.
If Rod had his way, this would have said, “he was born and he died.”
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