Obituary for Weldon Ewin McClure
Weldon Ewin McClure passed away peacefully on Friday, July 29, 2022, in Athens, Texas.
Weldon was born on September 22, 1934, to Finis Ewin McClure and Flois Evelyn McClure in Athens, Texas. He graduated from Athens High School in 1953. As a nineteen-year-old man, he swept a young country girl from LaRue, Texas off her feet. He and Betty Jean Costlow were married in 1954 and enjoyed 62 years of marriage, many miles of motorcycling, and countless square-dancing routines together.
Weldon was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jean McClure in 2016. Weldon is survived by his two children and their spouses: Ronald and Carole McClure of Athens, Texas and Carolyn and Michael Goodman of Athens, Texas. He is survived by his sister, Wanda Kinney of Athens, Texas. He is also survived by a dear friend, Bettie Miller, also of Athens, with whom he shared many games of Rummikub and memories in the past few years. Seven grandchildren had the honor of calling him “Papaw”: Rachel McClure Burk (Dale) of Boise, Idaho, Rebekah McClure Hembree (Rob) of Justin, Texas, Joshua Koviak (Kaylan) of Boerne, Texas, Daniel McClure (Kara) of Medford, Oregon, Kaci Koviak Wesp (Michael) of Tyler, Texas, Laura McClure Vivion of Tyler, Texas, and Jonathan McClure (Kailee) of Bruneau, Idaho. Eleven great-grandchildren have had the pleasure of sitting on his lap and being tickled by his beard, which could have been the envy of any man. Weldon owned and operated a Texaco gas station in Athens for a couple of years in the 1960s before beginning a career of 30 years working for the United States Postal Service. Weldon also pursued a passion for flying in the 60s and 70s. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and flew on several missions, one which included locating missing boaters on the Trinity River. He also had part ownership in a small plane which was housed at the Athens Airport and was a flight instructor. During his retirement, Weldon could often be found working on the home that he and Betty built in the woods, maintaining trails in the forests for his grandchildren to run on, and later watching with deepest fondness as his great grandchildren did the same. Two well-stocked catfish ponds also helped make the place extra magical for the youngins’. Weldon would always have a patio room chair and a beverage available to anyone that stopped by. Reclining in his favorite seat as he listened to conversation, adding his own wisdom when he saw fit, Weldon could always be counted on to stick to his convictions. Weldon enjoyed travel and once took a trip down the Amazon River in Peru, and often visited Ouray, Colorado. Of all the places he went, however, he could always be counted on to be watching the Dallas Cowboys play on Sundays from his recliner in the living room.
His grandchildren purchased a small plot of land in Ireland in his name, earning him the title, “Lord Weldon.” He was very proud of this symbol of his Irish heritage.
Weldon will be honored through a private family service.
Donations in memory of Weldon McClure may be made to the East Texas Arboretum in Athens.
Weldon was born on September 22, 1934, to Finis Ewin McClure and Flois Evelyn McClure in Athens, Texas. He graduated from Athens High School in 1953. As a nineteen-year-old man, he swept a young country girl from LaRue, Texas off her feet. He and Betty Jean Costlow were married in 1954 and enjoyed 62 years of marriage, many miles of motorcycling, and countless square-dancing routines together.
Weldon was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jean McClure in 2016. Weldon is survived by his two children and their spouses: Ronald and Carole McClure of Athens, Texas and Carolyn and Michael Goodman of Athens, Texas. He is survived by his sister, Wanda Kinney of Athens, Texas. He is also survived by a dear friend, Bettie Miller, also of Athens, with whom he shared many games of Rummikub and memories in the past few years. Seven grandchildren had the honor of calling him “Papaw”: Rachel McClure Burk (Dale) of Boise, Idaho, Rebekah McClure Hembree (Rob) of Justin, Texas, Joshua Koviak (Kaylan) of Boerne, Texas, Daniel McClure (Kara) of Medford, Oregon, Kaci Koviak Wesp (Michael) of Tyler, Texas, Laura McClure Vivion of Tyler, Texas, and Jonathan McClure (Kailee) of Bruneau, Idaho. Eleven great-grandchildren have had the pleasure of sitting on his lap and being tickled by his beard, which could have been the envy of any man. Weldon owned and operated a Texaco gas station in Athens for a couple of years in the 1960s before beginning a career of 30 years working for the United States Postal Service. Weldon also pursued a passion for flying in the 60s and 70s. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and flew on several missions, one which included locating missing boaters on the Trinity River. He also had part ownership in a small plane which was housed at the Athens Airport and was a flight instructor. During his retirement, Weldon could often be found working on the home that he and Betty built in the woods, maintaining trails in the forests for his grandchildren to run on, and later watching with deepest fondness as his great grandchildren did the same. Two well-stocked catfish ponds also helped make the place extra magical for the youngins’. Weldon would always have a patio room chair and a beverage available to anyone that stopped by. Reclining in his favorite seat as he listened to conversation, adding his own wisdom when he saw fit, Weldon could always be counted on to stick to his convictions. Weldon enjoyed travel and once took a trip down the Amazon River in Peru, and often visited Ouray, Colorado. Of all the places he went, however, he could always be counted on to be watching the Dallas Cowboys play on Sundays from his recliner in the living room.
His grandchildren purchased a small plot of land in Ireland in his name, earning him the title, “Lord Weldon.” He was very proud of this symbol of his Irish heritage.
Weldon will be honored through a private family service.
Donations in memory of Weldon McClure may be made to the East Texas Arboretum in Athens.