Maurice Alan McClure, 89 — retired farmer and rancher, loyal husband and first-rate father — passed away Thursday, June 8 at the Leonardville Nursing Home.

One of ten siblings, he was born April 23, 1928 to Lester and Leto McClure. Prior to attending college at Kansas State University, Maurice won several sheep shearing competitions, one of which provided him a college scholarship. While at KSU, he participated in ROTC and studied agriculture, excelling as a livestock judge. In the spring of 1953, he graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Animal Husbandry.

Later that year, on Sept. 10, 1953, with less than a week’s notice to those attending the wedding, he married Joyce Janean Jackson at the chapel at KSU and then shipped out to El Paso, Texas, where he started his short army career as a second lieutenant. After being honorably discharged from the army, he and Joyce moved back to Joyce’s childhood home where Maurice farmed. He was active in his church and community, serving often as the Glade Methodist Church lay leader and as a 4-H leader who helped to found the Speed Skyliners 4-H Club. He continued as a farmer or farm manager — raising sheep, cattle and hogs and numerous crops — until advanced prostate cancer forced him into the Leonardville Nursing Home a few months before his death.

Throughout his adult life, Maurice was known among family members for his generosity and his oft-repeated comment, “I didn’t think I’d raised any stupid kids,” which, in context, meant that he didn’t think he’d raised any sons who would turn down a free gift. He provided not only many lunches but also home, automobile, and education loans – many of which he forgave before they reached their term.

Survivors include his widow, Joyce, three sons – Gary (Melony) McClure (Salina), Steve (Shelly) McClure (Clay Center), and Greg (Pam) McClure (Manhattan). He had nine grandchildren — Mark McClure, Max McClure and Marissa Jones (Jacob); Michaela Larson (Jared), Kyle McClure (Kelsey); and Kelsey McClure, Morgan McClure, Samantha McClure and Ryan McClure — and two great-grandchildren, Sophia Larson and Micah Larson. His surviving siblings are Betty Lou Smith (Newton), Janice Capps (Tolleson, Ariz.), and Joyce Dufriend (Newton). Deceased siblings include Viola Gilmore, Thelma Minard, Virgil McClure, Clayton McClure, Theda Merritt, and Marvin McClure.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, June 11, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Lew Van Der Wege, officiating. Burial will follow in the Marvin Cemetery, Glade, KS.

The family will greet friends on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. prior to the service.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Glade United Methodist Church or the Donor’s Choice.