Don Gordon McClure

Don Gordon McClure, passed away Monday Feb. 26, 2007, in Shawnee, Okla.; he was 90 years old.

Don moved to Arroyo Grande in 1940. His trade was painting, but his love was horses and being a cowboy with his many friends.

In 1942 during World War II he was drafted into the Army. He became a tech. sgt. and spent most of his term of service in Germany. When the war was over he came back to his family in Arroyo Grande.

Don was born April 24, 1916, in Dibble, Okla., to Jay Hugh and Loretta (Gordon) McClure. He left home in his teens during the Depression. Several years later he moved to Dinuba, Calif., where he met Clarice Stringer. They were married in 1935.

Don first started in the painting business with his new father-in-law, Nate Stringer. Don and Clarice were married 25 years. They had three children, Donald, Loretta and Ted. Clarice was killed in a car accident in 1963. Don got remarried to Joy Ann Johnson, they moved to Santa Margarita and had a son Dan. In 1979 they moved to Tiffany, Colo.

They remained there until Joy's death in 1988. Don's ashes will be placed with his beloved wife Joy at the San Luis Cemetery's Columbarium, in San Luis Obispo.



The last words from Dad to us kids was "Make sure and keep the horses fed." As we think about these last words, we realize he was more in tune with his surroundings than we thought. He was a good old boy with that cowboy heart that is so hard to find in people nowadays. We are proud to have some of that blood in us and hope that we have passed on some of those strong convictions to our friends and family. Dad was loved and respected by many, and now it's time for him to carry on those traditions wherever the Lord has placed him.

Don is survived by a daughter, Loretta Hedrick Lister, living in Freedom, Calif., a son Ted and wife Patsy, living in Las Vegas, Nevada, a son Dan and wife Tawana living in Asher, Oklahoma. His son Don passed away Sept. 14,2001. There were 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; nieces, Clara (Myers) Stewart,and Claudia (Myers) Mize and nephew, Ken Myers and their families.

In celebration of Don's life, a big cattleman's type barbecue will be at noon, on June 9, 2007, at Biddle Park. All his friends and their families are invited to come and share their special stories. He loved to have friends over for a barbecue and talk about the good ole days. Give Ted McClure a call at (702) 236-9893, so we can get a rough count of those that will join us.

In lieu of flowers, just remember him when you are feeding your horses or on a trail ride. He would like that.