James McClure

November 12, 1928 - November 2, 2021

CDR James Ryerson 'Jim' McClure USN Ret, 92, earned his eternal wings in Santa Ana, California. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jim was the son of John and Ida McClure, and the youngest of the McClure boys:  John Alexander, John Frederic (SPHS '37), and Richard Alexander. Jim lived in Minneapolis, Kansas City, Missouri, and Dallas, Texas, before moving with his family to California at the age of six. He spent his childhood years moving back and forth between San Marino and Piedmont, California, and graduated from South Pasadena High School as part of the Class of 1946. 

Jim attended the University of Southern California under the Holloway (V-5) Flying Midshipmen Program from 1946 to 1948 where he joined the Kappa Alpha fraternity. In 1948, the Navy sent him to Pensacola for pre-flight training as a designated Aviation Midshipman, receiving his 'Wings of Gold' in August 1949. After a number of assignments overseas in the Pacific and within the United States, Jim earned his BS degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, in 1962. While in Monterey, he met the love of his life, Carol Stringer, in 1964 and they married at the Naval Postgraduate School chapel in January 1965. Shortly thereafter, Jim received orders to join the allied Forces of Southern Europe (CINCSOUTH) based in Naples, Italy. During this tour, Jim and Carol had two daughters, Janis and Karen. After three years in Naples, Jim returned with his family to the US for his final tour as the Program Manager for the A4 program at Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach. Jim retired from a successful 24-year career in the Navy as a Commander on July 1, 1970. After retiring from the Navy, Jim went into business in Santa Ana, opening Pacific Travel Service School (PTS), a vocational travel school, and Pacific Travel Service, a travel agency. At its height, PTS had a staff of over 60 employees and trained over 600 students per year to enter the world of travel.

Jim was an active member of many travel-related organizations, including ARTA, ASTA, and CLIA. Jim became an active member of Rotary International in 1970 and served in a variety of leadership positions over his 50 years of involvement, including as president in 1978-79. In the 1980s, he became a Paul Harris Fellow as a major donor to the Rotary Foundation. Jim participated in various organizations of personal interest including the Association of Naval Aviation, the Flying Midshipmen, the Tailhook Association, the Orange County Aviation Council, and Rotary International. As the internet changed the landscape of the travel business, Jim retired again in 1991, after 20 years in business, to enjoy time traveling with Carol, family, and friends.

Jim was a member of Trinity United Presbyterian Church where he was an usher for over 40 years. Jim will forever be remembered as a distinguished veteran, a devoted son, a dependable brother and uncle, a loving husband, a supportive father, a doting grandfather, and a kind and generous friend. Jim is survived by his beloved wife, Carol; his daughters, Janis McClure Griffin (John) and Karen McClure; and two grandchildren.

The Orange County Register, November 20, 2021