James J. McClure Jr., 97, of Evanston, formerly of Oak Park, died on Dec. 17, 2017. Born on Sept. 23, 1920, he was a veteran of the U.S. Navy during World War II. An attorney, he served as president of the village of Oak Park from 1973 to 1981, during a critical period as the village transitioned into a more racially diverse community.
Mr. McClure was a longtime member of Oak Park Boy Scout Troop 16, first as a Scout himself, beginning in the early 1930s (earning his Eagle Scout badge before entering the Navy), then serving as Troop 16 Scoutmaster from 1950 to 1960. His sons and a grandson also became Eagle Scouts. He spoke at Troop 16’s 100th anniversary in 2016.
His philosophy of life was: “Love of God, love of family, awareness of both the uniqueness and the contribution of every other human being, a sense of the wholeness of life, with my religious faith, my profession of law, my family and my community service, each playing an important part and complementing each other.” Â
Jim McClure was the husband of the late Lynn (nee Phelps); the father of John P. “Jack” McClure, Julie (Fred) Giegler, and Donald S. (Ruth) McClure; the grandfather of Jamison (Cody) Cornett and Corey (Danae) McClure, Andrew (Katie) and Laura Giegler, and Christine and Margaret McClure; the great-grandfather of Evan Giegler; and the brother of the late John Baker McClure.
A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 5, at the Elliott Chapel, Westminster Place, 3131 Simpson St., Evanston. A second memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6, at First United Church, 848 Lake St., Oak Park.Â
In lieu of flowers, donations to McCormick Theological Seminary, 5460 S. University Ave., Chicago, IL 60615 are appreciated. Funeral info: 708-383-3191 or drechslerbrownwilliams.com.