This past Thursday, September 23, my family and I lost one of the best men we will probably ever know. My Uncle Ray. He happened to be my great uncle and although I have had six other great uncles and stll have one uncle, Unkie was a constant in our lives. He was the one that I knew the most and I had the privilege of making memories with him.
Uncle Ray was a decorated World War II enlisted in the Marine Corp as an engineer, and served for 2 years. Amusing to myself, for the longest time I thought Semper Fidelis had something to do with music. As I got older and more informed I realized who actually used the Latin term, but never actually looked up the meaning until Monday, September 20 when Uncle Ray was admitted to the hospital for pneumonia. It means "Always Faithful". When I read that I was actually in awe because to me it seems like this term was never just a notion to Uncle Ray. He lived and breathed this saying more than any other man I have ever encountered. He not only served his country through one of the toughest times in history, but he also served, loved and deeply cherished his family. I am going to miss him so much. The last few years have been rough but he always managed a smile or a wave. He loved us all so much and I thank God that we had the great honor of being Uncle Rays family.
He would have been 90 years old today.
Here are a few things I will never forget:
• Christmas at Uncle Rays and our Charlie Brown Trees.
• Andes Mints
• Pear preserves
• Maple Syrup
• His Apple Tree
• So many cars
• Red hats and tan jackets
• wing tip shoes
• His wit
• His laugh
• our nicknames he had—hightower, top water
• his feet and brown socks propped up on his chair if front of the tv
• I'll frail you
• his story about cats
• His chair right at the front of the kitchen table with his little cup of coffee
• undershirts
• driving to Kents
• Listerine
• Watching him shave
• his love and dedication to his family and everyone he knew.
• "Well that's what I'm doing"
This is the Obituary that my brother so wonderfully put together. I will leave it at this.
Raymond Edward McClure (Uncle Ray) of Waverly, TN passed away Thursday, September 23, 2010 – four days shy of his 90th birthday. He was preceded in death by his parents James and Ann Rushton McClure; sister Odie McClure; brothers Wallace, Clyde, Cullum, William (Bill), Horace, and James (Jay); nephew Wayne McClure; and niece Catherine Collier.
He is survived by his sister Ollie Mae White of Nashville; nieces Henrietta Crandall of Nashville, Marian Rice of Nolensville, Margaret Richardson of Burns, Betty Jo Collier of Lorain, OH, Ann Macklin of New Johnsonville, and Patsy Sparks of Nashville; nephews Dr. Joe McClure of Waverly and Clint McClure of Dickson; 25 great nieces and nephews, and many more great-great nieces and nephews. Graveside service and interment were held Saturday, September 25, 2010 at the Williams Cemetery in Hurricane Mills. Speakers included family and friends of the departed, with arrangements made by Humphreys County Funeral Home.
A decorated veteran of World War II, Ray McClure enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on January 9, 1943, in which he served more than two years as an engineer. During his service Ray participated in four major battles of the Pacific Theater: Kwajalein, Jan. 31-Feb. 7, 1944; Saipan, June 15-July 9, 1944; Tinian, July 25-Aug. 1, 1944; and Iwo Jima, Feb. 19-Mar. 16, 1945. After his discharge in November of 1945 Ray returned to Tennessee where for the next 65 years he led a modest and peaceable life, seldom straying far from his home in Humphreys County.
The Marine Corps motto, “Semper Fidelis” could not be attributed to a more suitable representative than Ray McClure. This Latin phrase meaning “always faithful” was demonstrated by Ray throughout his lifetime, as he remained a stalwart servant to those he loved. Remaining a bachelor with no children of his own, Ray became as a father and grandfather to many of the children and grand-children of his brothers and one sister. Other than the occasional new car, Uncle Ray’s main passion was his faithful devotion to his family, undergirding them in need and rejoicing with them in triumph. Slow to anger and quick of wit, Ray McClure was as honorable a son, as dedicated a brother, as great an uncle, and as friendly a neighbor as has ever been.
Not a church-going man, Ray McClure rather exemplified the selfless love and meek heart of the Lord Jesus in an unflagging manner seldom matched by even the most devout parishioner. Without pretense, but with a jolly smile and simple nod, Ray McClure consistently and unconditionally gave of his time and resources to help better the lives of those around him. Galatians 6:2 reads: “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” With no resentment or complaint Ray McClure spent a lifetime bearing burdens for his family, his friends, and his country.
Though he is gone from our sight, he will not be forgotten, as his love, joy, and kindness live on and are passed on in the hearts of those who have held him so dear. May the Lord bless our Uncle Ray McClure. Semper Fidelis.
Uncle Ray was a decorated World War II enlisted in the Marine Corp as an engineer, and served for 2 years. Amusing to myself, for the longest time I thought Semper Fidelis had something to do with music. As I got older and more informed I realized who actually used the Latin term, but never actually looked up the meaning until Monday, September 20 when Uncle Ray was admitted to the hospital for pneumonia. It means "Always Faithful". When I read that I was actually in awe because to me it seems like this term was never just a notion to Uncle Ray. He lived and breathed this saying more than any other man I have ever encountered. He not only served his country through one of the toughest times in history, but he also served, loved and deeply cherished his family. I am going to miss him so much. The last few years have been rough but he always managed a smile or a wave. He loved us all so much and I thank God that we had the great honor of being Uncle Rays family.
He would have been 90 years old today.
Here are a few things I will never forget:
• Christmas at Uncle Rays and our Charlie Brown Trees.
• Andes Mints
• Pear preserves
• Maple Syrup
• His Apple Tree
• So many cars
• Red hats and tan jackets
• wing tip shoes
• His wit
• His laugh
• our nicknames he had—hightower, top water
• his feet and brown socks propped up on his chair if front of the tv
• I'll frail you
• his story about cats
• His chair right at the front of the kitchen table with his little cup of coffee
• undershirts
• driving to Kents
• Listerine
• Watching him shave
• his love and dedication to his family and everyone he knew.
• "Well that's what I'm doing"
This is the Obituary that my brother so wonderfully put together. I will leave it at this.
Raymond Edward McClure (Uncle Ray) of Waverly, TN passed away Thursday, September 23, 2010 – four days shy of his 90th birthday. He was preceded in death by his parents James and Ann Rushton McClure; sister Odie McClure; brothers Wallace, Clyde, Cullum, William (Bill), Horace, and James (Jay); nephew Wayne McClure; and niece Catherine Collier.
He is survived by his sister Ollie Mae White of Nashville; nieces Henrietta Crandall of Nashville, Marian Rice of Nolensville, Margaret Richardson of Burns, Betty Jo Collier of Lorain, OH, Ann Macklin of New Johnsonville, and Patsy Sparks of Nashville; nephews Dr. Joe McClure of Waverly and Clint McClure of Dickson; 25 great nieces and nephews, and many more great-great nieces and nephews. Graveside service and interment were held Saturday, September 25, 2010 at the Williams Cemetery in Hurricane Mills. Speakers included family and friends of the departed, with arrangements made by Humphreys County Funeral Home.
A decorated veteran of World War II, Ray McClure enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on January 9, 1943, in which he served more than two years as an engineer. During his service Ray participated in four major battles of the Pacific Theater: Kwajalein, Jan. 31-Feb. 7, 1944; Saipan, June 15-July 9, 1944; Tinian, July 25-Aug. 1, 1944; and Iwo Jima, Feb. 19-Mar. 16, 1945. After his discharge in November of 1945 Ray returned to Tennessee where for the next 65 years he led a modest and peaceable life, seldom straying far from his home in Humphreys County.
The Marine Corps motto, “Semper Fidelis” could not be attributed to a more suitable representative than Ray McClure. This Latin phrase meaning “always faithful” was demonstrated by Ray throughout his lifetime, as he remained a stalwart servant to those he loved. Remaining a bachelor with no children of his own, Ray became as a father and grandfather to many of the children and grand-children of his brothers and one sister. Other than the occasional new car, Uncle Ray’s main passion was his faithful devotion to his family, undergirding them in need and rejoicing with them in triumph. Slow to anger and quick of wit, Ray McClure was as honorable a son, as dedicated a brother, as great an uncle, and as friendly a neighbor as has ever been.
Not a church-going man, Ray McClure rather exemplified the selfless love and meek heart of the Lord Jesus in an unflagging manner seldom matched by even the most devout parishioner. Without pretense, but with a jolly smile and simple nod, Ray McClure consistently and unconditionally gave of his time and resources to help better the lives of those around him. Galatians 6:2 reads: “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” With no resentment or complaint Ray McClure spent a lifetime bearing burdens for his family, his friends, and his country.
Though he is gone from our sight, he will not be forgotten, as his love, joy, and kindness live on and are passed on in the hearts of those who have held him so dear. May the Lord bless our Uncle Ray McClure. Semper Fidelis.
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