Charles Alfred McClure

Charles Alfred McClure March 21, 1923 - July 18, 2004 COLUMBUS, GA - Charles Alfred McClure was born in Canton, Ga., on March 21, 1923, and died on July 18, 2004 at St. Francis Hospital. He was the son of the late Alfred Wright McClure and the late Kate Faulkner McClure. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday at St. Luke United Methodist Church, with a private burial to follow in Parkhill Cemetery. Dr. Hal Brady will officiate. The family will have a visitation this evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary's Macon Road Chapel. Mr. McClure was a graduate of North Georgia College in Dahlonega where he was a member of the tennis team. After attending Georgia Evening College in Atlanta, Ga., he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Georgia. During World War II, Mr. McClure entered the United States Army Air Corps in the Aviation Cadet Program and graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant. As a pilot, Mr. McClure saw overseas service with the 490th Bomb Squadron, 10th Air Force, China Burma India Theatre. He participated in 49 combat missions and saw duty as a flight and squadron leader. Mr. McClure was awarded the distinguished Flying Cross and the US Air Force Air Medal with Cluster. During this Tour, he helped develop and perfect new techniques in glide bombing. His last assignment was as a Cadet Flying Instructor for the United States Military Academy. He entered the reserve service and was a Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.), Air Force Reserves at the time of his death. His interest in flying was fostered by his uncles, the late Colonel (Ret.) Frank S. Faulkner, the late Charles James Faulkner, and his cousin, the late Ben Faulkner, all of whom were early Georgia aviators and members of the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame. For Several years, he lived in Athens, Ga., where he was an owner of WRFC-AM and a founder of the Athens Daily News. In 1953, he and his family moved to Columbus where he established McClure Broadcasting Company and Cherokee Broadcasting Company, a network of several radio stations and a television station. At the time of his death he was the principal owner of TV Channel 16 in Columbus, WCHK-AM in Canton, Ga., and WNSY-FM in Ellijay, Ga. For over twenty-five years, Mr. McClure broadcast his "Emphasis" commentaries, well-known in the region for their conservative view points. He was a member of the Radio Advertising Bureau and the National Association of Broadcasters. In 2003, NAB honored him for fifty years of service in broadcasting. He was also a member of the Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame at the University of Georgia in Athens. In 1995, Fort Benning recognized Mr. McClure for his outstanding contribution to Fort Benning and the Tri-Community Areas. In 1996, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chattahoochee Valley Veterans Council for outstanding leadership and for providing a Veterans Communication Center. In 2002, Mr. McClure was awarded the "Media Person of the Year" Award by the American Legion - Post 35. He was former chairman and active member of the Civilian-Military Council. Mr. McClure was a member of St. Luke United Methodist Church, where he had served on the Administrative Board, and was a member of the William Henry Shaw Sunday School Class. He was also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. An active community leader, Mr. McClure was a founding Trustee of the Springer Opera House and was a Trustee for forty years. His community leadership was reflected by his service, through the years, on: the Muscogee County Airport Commission (Chairman); State Industry and Advisory Committee; Columbus Boys Club; Alabama/Georgia Council of Boy Scouts of America (Eagle Scout); The Association of the United States Army (AUSA) (President); the St. Francis Hospital Board of Trustees, 1986-2001; Columbus State University Board (Chairman); and Board of Directors of SunTrust Bank, (Chairman of the Executive Committee.) He was an active member of the SunTrust Advisory Board. A firm believer in maintaining North Georgia College State University's military traditions, he had served as chairman of the NGCSU Foundation Board of Trustees and supported a strong, competitive shooting program at that institution. In 1994, he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the North Georgia College Alumni Association. His memberships included the Rotary Club of Columbus, where he was a Paul Harris Fellow; the Historic Columbus Foundation; the Columbus Museum; the Candun Club; the Country Club of Columbus; the Big Eddy Club; and the Highlands Country Club. An avid sportsman. he played USTA League tennis, and was a Georgia District Seniors Finalists in 1992. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and his home at Lakemont, Ga. He was predeceased by his brother, Colonel (Ret.) Joseph Adolphus McClure; and a sister, Cleamae McClure Bradfield. Mr. McClure is survived by his wife of 56 years, Dorothy Watson McClure; a daughter, Peggy McClure Moore and her husband, Mark, of Canton; two sons, Charles Alfred McClure, Jr. and Joseph Watson McClure and his wife, Gail, of Columbus. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren: Charles Alfred McClure, III, and his wife Virginia of Columbus; Wright Matthew Rogers and his wife Elizabeth, of Kennesaw, Ga.; Jennifer Dianne McClure of Athens, Ga.; Christopher Joseph Watson McClure of Columbus; Mark Andrew Moore of Canton; Faulkner Elizabeth McClure of Columbus; and Charles Christian Caldwell Moore of Canton, and one great-granddaughter Emma Elisabeth McClure of Columbus. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those wishing to remember Mr. McClure contribute to The Springer Opera House, 103-10th Street, Columbus, Georgia 31901 or to a charity of their choice.