Dr. Morris "Jake" McClure

Morris Eugene McClure, M.D. known as “Jake” since childhood or “Doc” to many of his friends passed away peacefully July 28,2021 at Cumberland Trace, with three daughters of his six children by his side.  He was born on October 8, 1926 the fourth child of Mary Mentra Winters McClure and Cover Sullivan McClure. He was preceded in death by the love of his life of seventy-four years, his wife Betty Rose (Roeder) McClure (d. June 17,2020), brothers Cover “Mick” George McClure, Robert “Bob” William McClure, and sister Phyllis Ann McClure (who died shortly after birth).

He attended High School in Decatur, Indiana where he met Betty. They married on May 26,1946. He was drafted in 1945 during his senior year of high school moving to Palm Springs, CA for training with the US Navy. Trained as an electronics technician he was then stationed in Great Lakes MI for the duration of WWII. After his release from active duty Jake attended Indiana University Ft. Wayne and Bloomington to pursue a medical degree. He graduated from IU School of Medicine in 1955 followed by a one year internship in general practice in Lima, OH and one year of medical practice in Columbus Grove, OH. He opened a general practice in 1957 in Union City, IN and operated it until 1968. Moving to Plainfield, IN in 1968, he took a job at Chrysler Motors Corporation and then Eli Lilly as a staff physician. He worked as an ER physician for Hendricks County Hospital before moving to Myrtle Beach, SC 1982. He worked in the HSA Costal Carolina Hospital ER, Loris SC as its director before establishing a private practice in North Myrtle Beach, SC. Retiring in 1995 he sold the practice and moved to Sebring, FL. Betty and Jake moved back to Plainfield, IN in 2017 to be closer to their children, residing at Cumberland Trace Assisted Living.

From an early age Jake was interested in music. He was accomplished with the coronet, trumpet, flugelhorn, valve trombone and upright bass. Music was so important in his life that over his lifespan no matter where he lived he would find a band or people to play with. He was in several different Big Bands, Dixieland Jazz Bands and improvisational Jazz groups that would “gig” for money, but for him it was simply for the love of music. He wanted to pass this on to his six children, so as soon as they were able they all learned to play some kind of musical instrument. His children have now passed on the love of music to many of his grandchildren so this wonderful tradition will carry on through them. Jake also loved the game of golf, so much so, his wife Betty took it up as to not be a “golf” widow. Much to his chagrin she became a “little” better at the game than he accomplishing three hole in ones during her life. Another love of Jake’s was fishing. He would put together his tackle box, pick up his rod and reel and go off to drop a line in the water for hours on end. He had many skills from welding, wiring, electronics, engine repair and woodworking. His mind worked in a way that he never needed a plan or diagram to complete a project to perfection. He was gifted in that way. His most important quality was the compassion and care he showed to his patients. He would make house calls sometimes allowing his children to tag along. For those less fortunate or those having hard financial times he would often barter his services and would accept payment with chicken eggs, babysitting or other means. If someone was in need he would give what he had to them if he no longer felt he needed it, just because. Many times this action would forgo the needs of his own family. This is who he was.

His life will continue through his six children Thomas McClure (Jayne), Timothy McClure,M.D. (Kathie), Dennis McClure,M.D. (Anna), Elizabeth Bowen, Barbara McClure-Allen (Steve), and Theresa Ford (Gary), his eighteen grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren. Following cremation a private Celebration of Life for both Jake and Betty will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family ask that you pay forward to those in need, be it a person, animal, or charity. Hampton Gentry Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements.