James Miller McLure Jr.

James Miller McLure, Jr.

The pen has ceased to flow for acclaimed playwright James Miller McLure, Jr., beloved son, brother, uncle, and dear friend.

Jim left this life all too soon on Thursday, February 17 in Marina del Rey, California after a brave battle against cancer. He was 59 years old.

Jim was the only son of James Miller McLure, Sr. and Mary McGill McLure, born August 5, 1951 in Alexandria. His parents and his younger sister, Mary Anna McLure, who died in 1980, also from cancer, precede him in death.

Jim is survived by his older sister Jenny McLure Schroeder and her husband R.V Schroeder, as well as his extended family, which includes nieces Corinne Schroeder Walsh, Catherine Schroeder and Claire Schroeder Jones and nephew Brandon McLure, and many McLure and McGill relatives in Louisiana, Florida and California. Although he lived away for so many years, Jim's family, childhood friends and memories of Shreveport were always close to his heart.

Jim leaves a legacy that includes his acting talents and writing accomplishments, which began while he was student at Jesuit High School in Shreveport. Jesuit was noted for its fine Shakespearean productions, and Jim was the lead in Hamlet and Richard III, receiving critical praise for his performances. He also won the state elocution award for his monologue from Death of a Salesman. Jim went to college at SMU where he received a BFA and cultivated his writing as well as his friendships with an amazing collection of actors and writers, many who have remained his closest friends. He later studied at the Pacific Conservatory for Performing Arts in California and was a member of the Lion Theater Company in New York. In recent years he was a frequent contributor for the New River Dramatists in North Carolina and The Missoula Colony at the Montana Repertory Theater.

Jim's plays Lone Star and Pvt. Wars were seen on Broadway in 1979 after debuting at the Festival of New American Plays at the Actors Theater of Louisville. Among his other works are Laundry and Bourbon, The Day They Shot John Lennon, Max and Maxie, Wild Oats, Iago, Ghost World, and Southern Christmas, as well as a full-length version of Pvt. Wars. Jim's plays are still produced around the world, breaking our hearts and bringing great laughter at the same time. The list of his amazing body of work represents his mind, soul and Southern heart. Throughout his illness and until he could no longer write, he was dedicated to his craft, leaving us the ability to enjoy his wit, insight and tenderness forever.

Enough cannot be said of Jim's friends, whom he loved dearly. From California, Montana, New York, Louisiana, North Carolina and in between, he surrounded himself with artists and friends who shared his love of theater, literature, music, baseball and conversation. Their time, love, and friendship during Jim's illness and their kind words and stories after his passing have lightened the load of sadness and heartbreak. His professional accomplishments were abundant, but his lasting friendships were what made him the richest of men.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2011 from 9:30 to 10:30 at Osborn Funeral Home in Shreveport, with a graveside service to follow at Forest Park Cemetery.

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