Kenneth Mcclure

Kenneth AndrewAndy McClure 1910-2004 Kenneth AndrewAndy McClure, 93 passed away on Monday, evening September 13, 2004 at his residence in Rural Coffeyville, Kansas. He was born on December 16, 1910 in Pittsburg, Kansas to A. J. and Emo H. Mash McClure. McClure Graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1929. He played high school football and basketball three years, earning all-Southeast Kansas League honors. He graduated from Pittsburg State Teachers College now Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas, McClure was the only Freshman member of the 1932 basketball team. As a Gorilla, he helped the cagers to a then national record 47 game winning streak. It was later broken by a San Fransisco team that included future Boston Celtic Hall of Famers Bill Russell and Sam Jones. McClure was selected by the Kansas City Journal Post to the Kansas College all-star team in 1935. He first coached at Hepler, Kan., guiding the football, basketball and track teams from 1935-1937. From 1937-1939 he coached in Columbus, Kansas. From 1939-1941, he coached the same three sports at McCune High School. Then, in 1942, he became head football, basketball and track coach at Field Kindley Memorial High School. Before the final game of the 1943 football season, McClure was commissioned into the U.S. Navy as a communications officer, serving on the U.S.S. Missouri during WWII under the staff of Admiral William F. Halsey in the Pacific Theatre. Staff Adm. Admiral F. Rockwell, Ocean View, Virginia. Staff of Admiral Wm. Kingman, Pacific Reserve Fleet. Was on board Battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay where he witnessed the surrender of Japanese to stop all war activities in 1945. Retired Rank of Commander 1972. In 1946, McClure came back to FKHS as head football coach, assistant basketball and track coach. From 1946-1957, his football teams won six SEKL Championships, finished the season ranked second in the state when all classes were combined three times, and posted undefeated seasons in 46, 52 and 56. In 1957, he became assistant principal at FKHS. Then, two years later, he was appointed principal at Roosevelt Junior High School and in 1968, superintendent of schools, a position he held until his retirement in 1973. On June 14, 1934 he married Rowene Dunbar of Tyro, Kansas in Kansas City, Kansas. The couple had recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary June 14, 2004. She survives of the home of Rural Coffeyville, Kansas. Mr. McClure is also survived by his two children, Gary McClure of Saratoga Springs, New York, and Sondra L. Kipper of Aurora, Colorado; Four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Marjorie Clark and one brother, Albert J. McClure. His memberships include: First United Methodist Church, Past Commander of American Legion Post 20, VFW Post 1022, Past President Lions Club, Keystone Lodge 102: AF AM, Order of Eastern Star 112, Shrine Club, Lochinvar Commandry, Royal Arch Masons, Mirza Shrine, USS Battleship Missouri Association and Life Member of PTA. Graveside Services will be held on Saturday, September 18, 2004 at 10:00 a.m., at the Fawn Creek Cemetery rural North East of Tyro, Kansas. Family and friends will gather at the graveside for services. Pastor Dan Ferguson of First United Methodist Church will be officiating. Military Rites will be performed by the Local VFW Post 1022 of Coffeyville, Kansas. Friends may call from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 17, 2004 at the Penwell-Gabel Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville, Kansas. Family will receive friends on Friday evening, September 17, 2004 from 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Funeral Home. Family has suggested memorial contributions be given to the Andy and Rowene Scholarship Fund in lieu of flowers. Please leave Memorials in the care of Penwell-Gabel Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel. Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of Penwell-Gabel Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville, Kansas 67337. Coffeyville Journal and Pittsburg papers please print word for word. Contact Funeral Home with obit charges. Columbus and Independence please print free obituary with as much details as permitted. Please place Flag emblem instead of photo in the upper left corner by name. If you have any questions please call 620-251-3100.