James E. McLain

Jim was born June 9, 1933 to R. Earl and Thelma (Watt) McLain of Shidler, OK. He joined his older brother, Charles in an idyllic boy’s world – swimming in the creek, climbing the oil derricks in the oil field where his father was a pumper.

His school classmates were a tight knit group getting together for most enjoyable reunions as the years passed.

He attended Oklahoma A and M (now Oklahoma State) in Stillwater working on a teaching degree. At a college church group he met Myra Graber.

In June 1955 the two began a 61 year marriage. Three children joined them over the years: Mark, Dana (deceased), and Jo.

Jim’s Colorado teaching began in Sedgwick. The next several years at Fort Morgan were enjoyable. During this period he earned his Master’s in Education at Northern Colorado University.

In June 1964 he accepted an elementary position in Yakima and spent the rest of his career in elementary and middle school assignments. In 1969 he attended the NEA convention, representing Yakima Education Assn. as president.

Retirement gave him time for other passions; his years with Master Gardeners were important to him. He served a term as president of Yakima Valley Audubon Society.

He was an enthusiastic runner and a one time officer of the Hard Core Runners Club.

He believed strongly in Habitat for Humanity and thoroughly enjoyed the years as Habitat and Elderhostel worked together.

Writing the garden column for the H-R for 10 years gave him much pleasure.

The years of hiking with an informal group brought him friendships and much enjoyment.

Jim is preceded in death by his mother, father, brother and daughter Dana. Jim is survived by his wife Myra, son Mark, daughter Jo. He is also survived by his granddaughter, Ruby and family. Kyle and Kaira were important to him.

His three sisters-in-law, Pat, Kay and Paula, gave him the female siblings he hadn’t had.

A Memorial Service will be Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church (his ultimate “family”) on 48th Ave. and West Chestnut. To celebrate the life of Jim and share a memory visit www.keithandkeith.com.

In Jim’s name, make a gift to your particular passion.