Junior Leroy McClure

Junior L. McClure, 92, of Columbia, passed away on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at HST Veterans Hospital.

Junior was born November 9, 1929 in Phillipsburg, Kansas to the late Thomas L. and Delsie T. (Williams) McClure.  On June 17, 1950, he married (Goldie) Darlene McDermed at the Presbyterian Church in Phillipsburg, Kansas.  He was widowed on March 27, 2012 and moved from Salina, Kansas, where he lived for 44 years, to Columbia, Missouri to live with his youngest daughter, Julie Bailey, and her family.

Junior served in the Army for one year followed by six years in the reserves.  After his military service, he began his long career as a newspaper printer.  Initially, he worked at the Phillips County Review for 18 years, followed by one year at the Hays Daily News before moving to Salina, where he worked for 25 years until his retirement in 1993.

In retirement, he enjoyed woodworking, putting together puzzles, playing board games, yard work, daily Bible reading and helping babysit his new great granddaughter, Audrey.

Junior is survived by his three children, Janyce Wray of Colorado, James McClure of Utah, and Julie Bailey of Missouri as well as eight grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

A graveside committal service with Military Honors will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 2, 2022, at the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg, Kansas.  

Memorial contributions are suggested to Jenny’s Wildlife Wonderland, c/o Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel, 1610 N. Garth Ave, Columbia, MO 65202.

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