Fred McLard

It is with great sadness that the family of Fred Henry McLard, 78, announces his passing after a valiant battle with cancer, on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015, at the family homestead near Pocahontas.

He was born Dec. 17, 1936, in Neelys Landing, the son of William Henry and Nellie Mae Meyer McLard.

Fred took pride in his 35 years of service in the government of the United States, the Army Corps of Engineers. He was a longtime member of New Bethel Baptist Church in Pocahontas, and in April 2014 he celebrated his 50 years as a master mason with Masonic Lodge No. 441 in Jackson.

Fred's favorite pastimes were spending time with his family sharing his joy for life, love of the land and loyalty to the St. Louis Cardinals. He enjoyed spending his time outdoors raising cattle, tending his vegetable garden, hunting for ginseng and never missing a ballgame.

Loving survivors include two daughters, Stephanie McLard and Becky (John) Northern of Jackson; a son, Bill (Darlene) McLard of Overland, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Joshua McLard, Jason (Kris) McLard, Tevin Bell, Tyler McLard, Carrie (Josh) Snell, Caitlin Gohn, Nick Kluesner and Aubrey Northern; three sisters, Lillie Bagley of San Dimas, California, Shirley (C.J.) Holling-Johnson and Alma Smith of Monrovia, California; two brothers, Jack (Janet) McLard of Imperial, Missouri, and Cecil (Betty) McLard of Barnhart, Missouri; a brother-in-law, Bill Craiglow of Jackson; and many nieces, nephews and good friends. Fred was anticipating the arrival of his first great-grandchild, great-grandbaby Snell.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Velma Craiglow and Bertha McLard.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson and from 10 a.m. until time of service Saturday at New Bethel Baptist Church in Pocahontas. A Masonic service will be at 7:30 p.m. today.

A celebration of Fred McLard's life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Revs. Don Slatton and Ken Grant officiating. Interment will be in New Bethel Cemetery.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to the New Bethel Cemetery Fund.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.