Edward "Ed" McLam
- May 26
- 2 min read
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Edward (Ed) L. McLam. Ed passed away at home while in Hospice care on May 20th 2026 at the age of 84. Ed was born on August 16th, 1941 to Pete and Carol McLam in Spokane, Washington. Ed was their only child. Ed graduated from Mead High School in 1959. Ed’s passion for farming filled his entire life. As a true farmer, any time there were family or friends around, farming and the weather was the topic at hand. Pete and Carol began farming on Peone Prairie in the 1940’s after moving to Mead from the Palouse. Ed grew up hanging out with friends that also came from farm families, learning the ropes of farming, and participating in FFA. Peone Praire was his home and only briefly lived in Spokane but returned in 1968 when he took over the farm from his dad. Ed grew wheat, barley, peas, lentils and hay up until his retirement. Farming, agriculture and it’s equipment, is what Ed knew well. In 1964, Ed met Louise (Lou) Murphy from Corvallis, Montana who was in Spokane attending college. In October 1966, Ed and Lou married in Hamilton, Montana and would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year. In Ed’s younger years, he and the family enjoyed snowmobiling on Peone and across mountain tops from Mt. Spokane to the North Cascades. When the kids were younger, Ed enjoyed fishing on local lakes and camping in Montana and Canada. In later years, Ed could be found on many fall weekends sitting around the campfire next to the RV at WSU football games in Pullman. Ed was always busy outside, in the fields, taking care of their large yard or working on a long list of things that needed to be fixed. He could be found on the tractor or lawnmower, behind the weed trimmer, or helping on the farm during the summer months bailing hay or driving semi during harvest. In Ed’s retirement years he continued to help on the farm when he could but his classic car and dog were his pride and joy. Ed looked forward to meeting up with his car club buddies every Monday night to show off the shine on his 1966 Chevy Chevelle SS. Ed and his dog “Barley” were attached at the hip and truly enjoyed each others company. Ed was preceded in death by his parents. Ed is survived by his wife Lou, his two children, son Dale (wife Yvonne) and daughter Pam (Husband Mark) and two grandchildren, Clint (Mead, WA) and Zachary (Monroe, WA) Ed will always be remembered as coming home in is farm truck covered in dirt from a hard day of work on the tractor or combine. He will be missed by all. No funeral service is planned at this time. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Horizon Hospice, Spokane.
I met Ed when as a 16 year old, I drove up to his farm house to ask if I could set some coyote traps on his farm. That was late fall, and that next summer, Ed was kind enough to hire me to plow lentil fields and help a little with the harvest. That experience landed me a summer job with a neighboring farmer over the next 6 years. Ed was my first work reference ever, and "he can plow lentil fields" was apparently enough for the neighbor. Those summers spent working on Feryn Ranch on Peone Prairie remain the most formative in my life. Thank you Ed, Lou, and family for that foundation. You feel like my people.
We are so grateful to have met Ed when we moved to Peone Prairie. He was always busy farming along with all the other activities that consumed his day keeping the farm running. He always made time to wave or stop and chat. Keeping an eye not only on his place, but on neighbors property. If not in his truck, he would go zipping by on his motor bike checking on the crops!
He will be most definitely missed as a neighbor and friend.
Rest in peace farmer Eddie!
I have no doubt that you will still be watching over everyone!
I count myself so lucky to have known Ed since the early 90's. He & Lou always welcomed me into their home to share fun family occasions that were full of laughter & teasing. I will miss Ed's smile & personality so very much but boy, was I lucky to have known him! I will always wish the best for the entire McLam family, & hope they will constantly remember all of the fun & love Ed provided.