Michael John McClure

Michael (Mick) John McClure was born to Edgar (Mac) and Melva McClure in Racine, Wisconsin on August 24,1938. Preceded in death by his parents and brother Jerry McClure. He spent his childhood in Wisconsin and Texas, eventually moving to Washington to attend college at Washington State University; while there he met the love of his life, Marilyn.

Upon graduation he enlisted in the Air Force and in classic military style was then drafted by the State of Texas. Mick and Marilyn were married on June 15, 1963, after his graduation from Officer Training School (OTS). The day he left for OTS the Cuban Missile Crisis began.

As was to be his pattern in life, he was a leader to the young men around him and brought them calm and guidance. He was accepted into flight training and became a B-52 pilot and flew over 300 missions during the Vietnam War. He received many medals and decorations throughout his Air Force career: The Distinguished Flying Cross being of note. As he and Marilyn grew their family, his military career took them to Texas, Oklahoma, California, Massachusetts, Guam, Nebraska, and South Dakota where he retired from the Air Force.

Along the road of military life, Mick and Marilyn added four children to the mix. Mick, Sharon who passed at birth, Kelly, and Tom. Over their 60 years of marriage, the family grew: Mick (Kim), Kelly (Rick), Tom (Lina), and 8 grandchildren: Sydney (Darcy) Kuemper, Andrew McClure, Ted Lindblom, Allie (Blane) Arnold, Anna Lindblom, Jack Uppling, Lainey McClure, Chloe McClure. There were many fun and memorable family gatherings with Mick reigning as Chief of his tribe. Always reminding his grandkids to “Watch out for Falling Rock”. Mick also stressed the importance of education to which his children and grandchildren embraced and will serve as a legacy to his guidance.

Mick and Marilyn moved to Washington state to be close to family. He worked for Boeing for ten years, eventually retiring to Surprise, AZ. There he spent many hours on the golf courses and could easily provide a play-by-play of each and every hole. Surprise has been their home for the past twenty-five years and where they’ve made many dear and special friends.

As his granddaughter wrote, “We are so lucky to have the memories of a man who was funny, strong, adventurous, and courageous. We are so grateful to have shared his life.”

A Memorial Mass will be held on June 27 at 11:00am, at Our Lady of Lourdes, 19002 N 128th Ave, Sun City West, AZ, 85375. A private burial service will be held at the National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix with full Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mick’s memory can be made to Stoneridge Hospice, National Kidney Foundation, or Tunnels to Towers.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.surprisefuneralcare.com for the McClure family.