In Memoriam: James J. McClure Jr.

Our friend and former partner Jim McClure Jr. passed away on Monday, December 18 at the age of 97.

Jim, a friend to many, joined the Chicago office of Gardner Carton & Douglas in 1957 in the Estate Planning (Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation) department. Initially drawn to the “open and close” nature of estate administration, he soon learned that the practice has a great deal of continuity. He enjoyed the “tremendous diversity” that estate planning provided, finding that every client presented unique and challenging opportunities. Jim went on to chair the department for many years. Jim retired from the firm in 2000 after 43 years of service.

A U.S. Navy veteran (World War II), Jim was a Scout Senior Patrol Leader during the 1950s and received the James H. Douglas Jr. Award in 1990 for his scouting, church and civic contributions. Additionally, Jim was President of the Village of Oak Park from 1973 to 1981.

Jim’s wife, Carolyn, passed away on Thanksgiving of this year. They are survived by their sons Jack and Donald (Ruth) McClure and daughter Julie (Fred) Giegler; their cherished grandchildren Jamison (Cody) Cornett and Corey (Danae) McClure, Andrew (Katie) and Laura Giegler, and Christine and Margaret McClure; and great-grandchild Evan Giegler.

A memorial service will be held Friday, January 5, at 2:30 p.m. at the Elliott Chapel, Westminster Place, 3131 Simpson St., Evanston, Ill.

Another memorial service will be held Saturday, January 6, at 2:30 p.m. at First United Church, 848 Lake St., Oak Park, Ill.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to McCormick Theological Seminary, 5460 S. University Ave., Chicago, Ill., 60615.

You can read Jim’s full obituary here.

Please join us in keeping the McClure family in our thoughts during this difficult time.