Clarence L. McClam Sr.

CLARENCE L. McCLAM, SR. "Pro" "Sgt. Dead-Eye" "The Professor of the Blues" Gary, Indiana August 28, 1919 - April 24, 2005 Clarence L. (Pro) McClam, Sr., the self-proclaimed "Professor of the Blues" and Gary's first solo recording artist died on Sunday, April 24, 2005 at 3:40 p.m. at Gary's Timberview Rehabilitation Center at the age of 85. McClam recorded Gary's first solo rhythm and blues record entitled "Boot 'em Up" live at Dobie's Bar formally located at the corner of 19th Avenue & Virginia St. This legendary song performed, written and sang by McClam enabled his musical recording career to soar as a singer with well-known artists such as Fats Domino, Ruth Brown, Etta James and more. He toured across the United States. His special location was Las Vegas, Nevada where he initialed the song "Deck of Cards", which hit the charts among the one night 'chittlin' circuits' during the 1950's and 1960's. A graduate of Roosevelt High School Class of 1937. McClam was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. His name is inscribed on the World War II Memorial Wall on the lawn of his alma mater. As a teenager, McClam was a winning Lightweight Golden Gloves boxer. He was also a trainer for the Gary Golden Gloves organization. Along with his gift of song, McClam both read and wrote music. McClam was also nicknamed "Sgt. Dead-Eye" by the troops in Europe because he was a celebrated sharpshooter who received many medals and commendations. McClam was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi in 1919 to Winfred and Ethel Matthews McClam. Surviving are: his three children, Pauline Patricia McClam-Jones, Gary, IN, Clarence Edward McClam Jr., Miami, FL, Joyce Stewart McClam Brown of California, and Diamond Dee McClam, a pre-med student at Indiana University - Bloomington; and his mother, Rochelle L. McClam Melton, Gary, IN; step-mother, Astoria McClam Berry, Gary, IN; brothers-in-law, Walter Moore, Gary, IN and Willie Brown of Chicago, IL; 5 special grandchildren, Lawrence A. Jones of Houston, TX, Carlos D. (Avis) Jones of Chattanooga, TX, Gina (Richard) Hunter of Brooklyn Park, MN, Casey Jean Edwards-Jones and Courtney Y. Edwards-Jones; and 12 other grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; and 1 great grandchild; special friend and cousin, William Walter Walker and Pat, Chicago, IL. Also surviving are his paternal nieces and nephews, DeLia M. McClam, Merrillville, IN, Ethel Renee McClam, Lafayette, IN, Andrea L. Cooper, Merrillville, IN, Arthur (AC) Andrews Jr. and Daryl Moore both of Gary, IN, and Michael C. Moore of Perris, CA. Visitation and Homegoing Services are scheduled for Saturday, April 30, 2005, starting at 12 noon with Homegoing Services at 1:00 p.m. at the Ridgelawn Funeral Home, 4201 W. Ridge Road, Gary, 980-5555, with Rev. Lewis E. Grady, First AME Church presiding. Interment Ridgelawn Cemetery. Dr. Eddie Govain-Latimer, Funeral Director. A special thanks to Elder Vivian Green, Eagle Joy's Outreach Ministry, Hammond, IN. May God Grant Him Eternal Rest.