JAMES "JIMMY" THOMAS MCCLURE, JR

James “Jimmy” McClure, Jr., age 79, passed away at the Life Care Center of Rhea County on Tuesday, July 11, 2023.  His parents co-founded a non-profit school for special needs children, Garden School for Handicap, in 1957 that never turned a needy child away. 

He loved the Cubs and White Sox ball teams and especially loved singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” with Harry Caray.  Jimmy was also a huge Elvis fan.  He will be missed. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Betty McClure.     

Jimmy is survived by two sisters, Carol Ann Derlak of Dayton, TN and Debra McClure (Jennings) Dillard of Athens, TN; nephew, Brian David (Lori) Derlak, of Dayton, TN; nieces, Christy Derlak (Dennis) Akin of Dayton, TN; Alana Lawson, of Knoxville, TN; and Rebecca Kaiser, of Ooltewah,TN; great nieces; Sam Derlak, Zoe Kiser, Grace and Ella Szymczyk; and great nephews, David Derlak and Lance Kiser.      

There will be a funeral service on Friday, July 14, 2023, at 10:00 AM in the chapel of Coulter Garrison Funeral Home with Reverend Clyde Fitzgerald officiating.  The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.  Interment will be at Spence Cemetery.  

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