|
|
|
Robert G. McClain, 80, of Rocky Ford, died Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at his home.
He was born Nov. 27, 1928, in La Junta to John Robert and Mary Alice (Kimbell) McClain. They were a very dedicated ranching family, raising Bob in southeastern Colorado. Bob remained a “cowboy at heart” with his greatest passion being his horses. Bob met a young farm gal from Pritchett named Rose Jesser and they were married Nov. 12, 1949, in Clayton, N.M.
In 1952, Bob gave up ranch life due to a back injury and they engaged in the restaurant business in Pritchett for a four-year period. But hard times necessitated moving on and after other types of employment Bob got his start in the grocery business working as a meat cutter for Coop in Springfield, until a job offer came to cut meat for Safeway in Lamar that lasted seven years. He then moved to Safeway in Las Animas as a meat market manager and was there for seven years. Then in 1971 the opportunity arose to go into business for himself and they partnered in Circle Super in Leoti, Kan., for seven years. The path then led to Rocky Ford where they purchased the Rhodes Food Center, which then became McClain Super. Bob retired from the business in 1991 and returned to caring for his horses.
Bob and Rose partnered in all aspects of life until heavens gates opened for Bob. This year was their 60th wedding anniversary. Bob turned his life over to the Lord in 1981 while attending the Church of God in Rocky Ford.
He is survived by his wife, Rose; daughter, Karen (Gary) Hall of Las Animas; sons, John (Maribel) McClain of El Paso, Texas; Robert (Cindy) McClain of Rocky Ford; eight grandchildren, Lori (Mark) Spady, Christy (Doug) Grasmick of Las Animas, Gary (Alisha) Hall of Pritchett, David McClain of Superior, Christopher McClain of Rocky Ford, Shawna McClain of Pueblo, Robert and Alisha McClain of El Paso, Texas; three step-grandchildren, Christian, Jennifer and Bryan McClain of El Paso, Texas; and a host of family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Alice McClain, baby brother, Claude Ross McClain, granddaughter, Elizabeth Louise Hall and great-grandson,Wester Bradley Dale.
Funeral services were at 1 p.m., Tuesday Nov. 24 at the Crossroads Church in Swink with the Rev. Mike Beecham and the Rev. Michael Hugh Brown officiating. Special music was provided by Jean and Sandra Coffelt. The prelude and postlude was played by Cecil Osborne.
Pallbearers were Jim Frentress, Rick Young, Russell Brown, Calvin Hostetler, Ben Ellis and Jim McClain. Honorary pallbearers were Jim Copess, Bud Jones, Max Yocam, Gary Yocam, Alvin Gardner, Lloyd Labrier, Randy Bitter and Larry Hall.
Burial was in the Las Animas Cemetery with Horber Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements.
Those wishing to do so may make memorials to the Ark-Valley Hospice or charity of choice.
Robert G. McClain, 80, of Rocky Ford, died Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at his home.
He was born Nov. 27, 1928, in La Junta to John Robert and Mary Alice (Kimbell) McClain. They were a very dedicated ranching family, raising Bob in southeastern Colorado. Bob remained a “cowboy at heart” with his greatest passion being his horses. Bob met a young farm gal from Pritchett named Rose Jesser and they were married Nov. 12, 1949, in Clayton, N.M.
In 1952, Bob gave up ranch life due to a back injury and they engaged in the restaurant business in Pritchett for a four-year period. But hard times necessitated moving on and after other types of employment Bob got his start in the grocery business working as a meat cutter for Coop in Springfield, until a job offer came to cut meat for Safeway in Lamar that lasted seven years. He then moved to Safeway in Las Animas as a meat market manager and was there for seven years. Then in 1971 the opportunity arose to go into business for himself and they partnered in Circle Super in Leoti, Kan., for seven years. The path then led to Rocky Ford where they purchased the Rhodes Food Center, which then became McClain Super. Bob retired from the business in 1991 and returned to caring for his horses.
Bob and Rose partnered in all aspects of life until heavens gates opened for Bob. This year was their 60th wedding anniversary. Bob turned his life over to the Lord in 1981 while attending the Church of God in Rocky Ford.
He is survived by his wife, Rose; daughter, Karen (Gary) Hall of Las Animas; sons, John (Maribel) McClain of El Paso, Texas; Robert (Cindy) McClain of Rocky Ford; eight grandchildren, Lori (Mark) Spady, Christy (Doug) Grasmick of Las Animas, Gary (Alisha) Hall of Pritchett, David McClain of Superior, Christopher McClain of Rocky Ford, Shawna McClain of Pueblo, Robert and Alisha McClain of El Paso, Texas; three step-grandchildren, Christian, Jennifer and Bryan McClain of El Paso, Texas; and a host of family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Alice McClain, baby brother, Claude Ross McClain, granddaughter, Elizabeth Louise Hall and great-grandson,Wester Bradley Dale.
Funeral services were at 1 p.m., Tuesday Nov. 24 at the Crossroads Church in Swink with the Rev. Mike Beecham and the Rev. Michael Hugh Brown officiating. Special music was provided by Jean and Sandra Coffelt. The prelude and postlude was played by Cecil Osborne.
Pallbearers were Jim Frentress, Rick Young, Russell Brown, Calvin Hostetler, Ben Ellis and Jim McClain. Honorary pallbearers were Jim Copess, Bud Jones, Max Yocam, Gary Yocam, Alvin Gardner, Lloyd Labrier, Randy Bitter and Larry Hall.
Burial was in the Las Animas Cemetery with Horber Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements.
Those wishing to do so may make memorials to the Ark-Valley Hospice or charity of choice.
