Dr. Charles Morris McClain Jr.

Dr. Charles Morris McClain Jr., 87, of Batesville, passed away Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, surrounded by his family at home.

He was born Mar. 17, 1938, in Little Rock, Ark., to the late Charles Morris McClain Sr. and Verla Evelyn Bland McClain.

Charles spent his early years on his grandparents' small farm in Saline County while his mother underwent treatment for tuberculosis and his father worked to support the family.

Charles graduated from Joe T. Robinson High School and attended Beebe Junior College on a basketball scholarship. He served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1961. He later earned a degree in biology from Little Rock University and went on to attend the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, graduating with the Class of 1963.

Charles married Patricia "Pat" Marshall of Cabot in 1967.

Charles completed multiple residencies in family medicine, general surgery, and radiology, practicing in California, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. In 1975, the McClains moved to Batesville, where Charles founded North Arkansas Radiology Associates and raised his five children.

An active member of First Baptist Church, Batesville, for nearly 50 years, Charles served as a deacon, choir member, youth chaperone, and committee leader. He was also a longtime member of the First Community Bank Board of Directors, serving as chair of the Trust Committee and on the Compliance & Loan Committee.

Charles was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Pat McClain.

He is survived by his children: Dr. Charles "Chuck" McClain III (Stacy) of Batesville; Lori McClain, David McClain (Carey), and Jennie Beard, all of Conway; and Julie Marth (Tommy) of Chagrin Falls, Ohio. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Charlie, Zach, and Eleanor McClain of Batesville; Jake McClain and Owen and Claire Beard of Conway; and Henry and Anna Marth of Chagrin Falls.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 16, at First Baptist Church in Batesville. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Friday, Oct. 17, at First Baptist Church with Rev. Stacy Reed officiating. Due to limited seating, there will be a live stream of the service at the Batesville Community Center Gymnasium located at the corner of 20th street and Myers Street. Burial will take place at 2:00pm at the Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Cabot with Rev. Dr. Peter Marshall officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Patricia E. Marshall McClain Nursing Scholarship at the White River Health Foundation.