John McKittrick: A life well-lived
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

BETTER DAYS- The late John McKittrick, 42, enjoys family time with wife, Michele, and children Sam, 15, and Holly, 12. McKittrick died in a plane crash last week in Camarillo.

Relatives, co-workers and friends of John McKittrick gathered at Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village last Friday to celebrate the life and mourn the passing of the 42-year-old Thousand Oaks man who died July 15 when the WWII-era plane he was flying crashed at Camarillo Airport.

"A life exceptionally welllived," was the way the Rev. Jim Lee, who officiated at the service, described McKittrick's span of years. The pastor spoke of McKittrick as a man of compassion as well as adventure, someone to whom people turned when in need. McKittrick's younger brother, Todd McKittrick, described their days growing up. "I didn't just think it, I knew my brother was a winner. . . . He laid the foundation and path I can only hope to follow as a father." Recalling his brother's devotion to his family, his generous spirit and his passion for flying and sports, he quoted a family member: "If John's life was a movie, I'd want to watch it." Countrywide executive Grant Couch spoke of McKittrick as an exemplary employee, one of 50 original employees who helped take the firm's capital markets division from a small department in 1996 to the global operation it is today. A senior vice president, McKittrick was quiet and low-key, according to Couch. "But in that quietness he was one of our top producers year in and year out."

Couch said McKittrick will be remembered at Countrywidef orhavingabig heart, which he showed in countless ways. McKittrick was also remembered by Lt. Col. Randy Redell. The two men met in Reno, Nev., at the annual National Championship Air Races. Redell was flying with the Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration squadron, and the two met and became fast friends.

"John," Redell said, "always put others above himself, and he led a disciplined, honorable life. He was a complete pilot, and (although not a fighter pilot) was driven by a fighter pilot's spirit and intense desire to succeed."

Redell, commander of the Wings of Blue, an Air Force skydiving team, presented McKittrick's family an American flag he had carried with him to honor McKittrick during a dive the day before. As a husband and father, it was clear that McKittrick considered his wife, Michele, and children, 15-year-old Sam and 12-year-old Holly, his greatest gifts, according to his brotherin-law Chip Marionneaux. "He was happiest when he spoke of his children, and considered himself "the luckiest man alive" to be married to Michele. The couple became involved with Oaks Christian School in its infancy, long before their own two children were old enough to attend the Westlake Village school. Of his part in the school's development, McKittrick once said, "My vision here is to create racial and socioeconomic diversity, and whatever we can do toward that, I'm there."

Headmaster Jeff Woodcock praised McKittrick's contributions to the school in comments following the memorial service. "From his first introduction to Oaks Christian, John became an enthusiastic, supportive ambassador of the school. He wasalwaysas traight shooter, asking good questions and advocating for the school to be the best." Vice President of Development Tom Konjoyan said McKittrick was "instrumental in the founding of Oaks Christian,asamemberofit s Founders Circle, a founding member of its board of advisers and as one who was incredibly generous with his resources and his time." Perhaps McKittrick's favorite aspect of his involvement with the school was through its athletic program. According to varsity football coach Bill Redell, father of McKittrick's friend Randy, he began working with the freshman/sophomore team last year and was going to help coach the team again this year.

"John was a very valuable contributor to our football program," said Redell, "both in his service and in his contributions to the school- most notably his donation of our weight room, which is used by all student athletes." Kerrie Sadler, communications coordinator for Oaks Christian School, contributed to this report.