Captain Joe Denver McCune, USN (Ret.) died on 04/11/2024. He graduated from the University of Washington June 14 , 1952 with a degree in Business Administration and an NROTC Commission as an Ensign in the U. S. Navy. On that same eventful day he married his life partner, Patricia Louise Hutchison of Seattle.
His naval career spanned three decades and included the Korean conflict, the Vietnam War and numerous lengthy overseas deployments throughout the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans during the Korean War, Cold War, and Vietnam War. He first served in a heavy cruiser and subsequently in five submarines, diesel and nuclear powered. He was stationed at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium and with the Royal Navy at Faslane, Scotland. His commands included the submarine USS Sea Robin (SS407), Naval Schools Command Treasure Island, CA, and Navy Recruiting Area EIGHT (10 Western States), San Francisco. His military awards included the Navy Legion of Merit, China Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and the Korean Service Medal.
Upon retirement from active duty Denver was a corporate executive with DataDesign Laboratories in Cucamonga, CA, Titan Systems Corp. in La Jolla, CA, and Ford Aerospace Corp. (now Lockheed-Martin) at Ridgecrest and Sunnyvale, CA. In a postretirement position, he was an export manager for Blueback Enterprises of San Diego.
Captain McCune was a Life Member of the Burlington, WA Masonic Lodge, American Legion, Military Retired Officers Association, Sojourners, Submarine Veterans, Inc., Navy League and the Naval Order of the United States.
He was an Associate member of the Submarine Veterans of WWII and past president of the San Diego Chapter of the Naval Submarine League. He was also a member of the Bohemian Club and Marines Memorial Club of San Francisco, the Seattle Yacht Club, University Club of San Diego and the Encinitas, CA YMCA. His hobbies included saltwater fishing, private flying, golfing, skeet and frap shooting, yachting, travel, reading and computers. His last residence was the "Vi at La Jolla Village" in San Diego.
His loving wife of 52 years, Patty, predeceased him in July 2004. He leaves daughter Melodie Ann Gross of Anchorage, AK and two sons, Michael Ross McCune of Homer, AK and Martin Denver McCune of Seattle, WA. Other family members include grandchildren, Holly, Kelliann and David McCune from Homer, AK and Aleksandr Denver McCune and Gillian Castle of Seattle. Additionally, he leaves sister, Selma Moyle in Seattle and six great grandchildren.
Denver qualified Cold War Submarine Veteran, Captain Joe Denver McCune, USN (Ret.) - (1928 - 2024)
Captain Joe Denver McCune, USN (Ret.) died on 04/11/2024. He graduated from the University of Washington June 14 , 1952 with a degree in Business Administration and an NROTC Commission as an Ensign in the U. S. Navy. On that same eventful day he married his life partner, Patricia Louise Hutchison of Seattle.
Served on: CA-124, SS-416, SS-302, SSBN-610, SS-339, SS-407
Sailor, rest your oar.
He was a Member of Scamp Base of USSVI.
Served on: SS-404.
Sailor, rest your oar.