Gerald C. Mcclure

The life and legacy of Gerald C. McClure of Etoile (formerly of Nacogdoches) will be celebrated on Friday, April 5, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Dale Morton and his nephew, Brother Bo Baker, officiating. Interment will follow in the Blue Springs Cemetery in Etoile.

Gerald was born July 13, 1927, in Etoile to the late Nellie Luella (Partin) and Charles Vernon “Charlie” McClure. He passed away at the PineCrest Retirement Community in Lufkin on Thursday, March 28, 2024.

Gerald grew up in Etoile, Boulder City, Nevada, and Galena Park with his parents, second father Bean Glenn Muckelroy, grandparents Bettie and Judge Partin, twin sister, Geraldene, and other siblings, Nell, T.C., twins Bennie and Bettie, and Donna. He graduated from Galena Park High School in 1944. Gerald served in the Merchant Marines and U.S. Army Air Corps from 1944 to 1950.

While attending Stephen F. Austin State University, Gerald met and married Marie Elizabeth Little in 1952. He received a BS (1953) and MEd (1954) from SFA. Mr. McClure soon began a devoted public education career as a teacher, basketball coach, high school principal, and superintendent that spanned 31 years. The McClures taught together at Kennard, Elkhart, and Tarkington. Mr. McClure was particularly proud of the 17 years (1968-1985) he served as superintendent of Tarkington ISD near Cleveland. He led the passage of bonds to build new elementary and high schools and supported teachers and students as they focused on ensuring academic performance that ultimately resulted in the school’s domination of UIL academic events for many years. An avid sports enthusiast, the current football field house and other sporting improvements were made under his leadership.

Known affectionately as “Papa Mac” since his Tarkington days, Mr. McClure worked tirelessly with Marie on the Beta Club and all activities that benefitted students. He was recognized for his devotion to education and students by many organizations including The National Beta Club and Tarkington Student Foundation.

Retiring to Nacogdoches in 1985, Mr. McClure was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. He enjoyed getting away to his lake cabin in Etoile where he supported the Etoile School and Blue Springs Cemetery and served on the Etoile Water Board. When Gerald and Marie moved to Etoile in 2016, they enjoyed sitting together on the porch looking at the lake and reminiscing about family and school times. Both were fond of the family dogs, L’Oreal, Estee, CK, and Tom.

Gerald became “Papa” when grandson and namesake Tanner Gerald McClure Franklin was born in 1989. He had an enduring bond with Tanner and was always there to support him. Papa was especially proud of Tanner earning a law degree in 2015 and his return to Etoile in 2020 to establish Franklin Law Firm (now Hightower, Franklin, & James).

Survivors include his daughters, Geralyn “Baby” McClure Franklin and husband Kenny, and Gayla McClure DeRouen (from his first marriage to Billie Pearce) and husband Steve; grandson, Tanner Franklin and wife Amber; granddaughter, Stephanie Patterson and husband Jeff; great-granddaughter, Sabrina Patterson; twin sister, Geraldene Runnels; and sister, Donna Lee. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and other family members.

Gerald was preceded in death by his wife, Marie Little McClure; parents, grandparents, one brother, and three sisters; son, Gerald Mark McClure; and great-granddaughter, MacKenzie Patterson.

Pallbearers will be Rusty Lee, Daron Lee, Roger Dale Muckelroy, Randy Lee, Travis Muckelroy, David Grant, Joshua Runnels, and Brett Morton. Roger Runnels and Clyde “Skeeter” Graves will serve as honorary pallbearers.

The family wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude to Gerald’s personal sitter Rhonda Galvan and the administrators, nurses, aides, and rehab personnel of PineCrest Retirement Community and the staff of Affinity Hospice. He was particularly fond of “his girls”, PineCrest nurses Christina, Amber, Elena, Jessica, Mercedes, Michelle, Necole, and Samantha. Gerald was truly blessed with the loving care he received as his health declined.

Memorial contributions to honor Mr. McClure may be made to the Tarkington Student Foundation at 2270 FM 163, Cleveland, Texas 77327 or Blue Springs Cemetery at P.O. Box 106, Etoile, Texas 75944.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Friday afternoon prior to the services.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.