Obituary of John B. McCament

When Jay was 14, he wore his Boy Scout uniform whenever a member of the VFW picked him up at school and took him to the cemetery to play “Taps” for a veteran. He played at dozens of funerals after WWII when so many soldiers were brought home for burial. Seventy years later, he last played “Taps” for a Memorial Day Observance. Now it’s Jay’s turn to be honored when “Taps” will be played for him. John B. McCament (Jay) passed away August 27, 2021, in Tacoma, Wash. Jay was born December 28, 1934, to Johnny and Inez (Berry) McCament in Coffeyville, Kan. He later lived in Caney, Kan., Buhl, Idaho, and Ellensburg, Wash. Jay was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his loving wife, J.J., and children Kelly Patterson (Dick), Kevin McCament, Kearn McCament, and stepson Travis Profit, grandsons Steven McCament and Jeremy Logue (Maggie) and their families; sister, Cynthia Holroyd (Andy), nephew Jim Holroyd (Mary) and niece Amy Brown (Pat); and nephew Tymon LaMar (Toni) and niece Michela Laverty. Jay graduated from Ellensburg HS and earned music degrees from Central WA College and the University of WA. He was a talented musician and soloist playing trumpet and bass in many bands including the Puyallup Fair, the UW Jazz Ensemble, Seattle Seahawks, and the Tony Bennett tour of WA State. Jay was the band director at Manson and Wenatchee high schools and Kalles Jr. High, established the Music Dept. at Fort Steilacoom College (Pierce) and also taught at PLU. A man with faith, he played trumpet and bass and sang in the choir at First Christian and Trinity Lutheran. Jay also composed and arranged music and directed musical performances in the community. Jay had a second career as a distinguished custom gunmaker and was a member of the American Custom Gunmaker’s Guild. Several of his finely handcrafted custom guns were featured in gun magazines and graced their front covers. Jay was an Army veteran and proudly played in the Army’s 3 rd Division Band at Fort Benning, Ga. While in boot camp, he was chosen as “Supernumerary”--ranking him #1 in an inspection of almost 1,000 troops. In life and love, Jay always floated to the top. A brief graveside service will be held on October 14, 2021, at 4:30 p.m. at Sunnyside Cemetery in Caney, Kan. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Cornerstone Church of Caney, the American Custom Gunmaker’s Guild, Ducks Unlimited, or a charity of your choice.