Richard McLain

Richard Lee McLain, 86, of Jackson passed away Monday, July 12, 2010, at Monticello House.

He was born Aug. 10, 1923, near Oriole, son of Roy W. and Laura Koeppel McLain. He and Dora Dale Farrow were married June 17, 1945.

Richard graduated from Indian Creek High School in 1940. He farmed near the Indian Creek community and in 1956 started a 30-year career as a telegrapher with Southern Pacific Railroad, retiring in 1986.

He and his wife moved to Jackson in 1993 from Elko, Nev. Richard was a member of TCU union and was of the Baptist belief. He enjoyed gardening and loved to share his vegetables with his neighbors and friends.

Loving survivors include his wife of 65 years, Dora; a son, Steven McLain of Brea, Calif.; two grandsons, Edward (Veronica) McLain and Bryan (Jordan) McLain; a granddaughter, Michelle McLain; five sisters, Ruth Burchyett, Marie Hampton, and Norma (Henry) Shipp of Cape Girardeau, Betty Melvin and Erma (Joe) McDowell of Jackson; five brothers, Roy (Jewell) McLain, Fred (Dolly) McLain and Jesse (Donna) McLain of Jackson, James McLain of Wood River, Ill., John (Toni) McLain of Cape Girardeau; a sister-in-law, Dorothy McLain of Cape Girardeau; and many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Glenn "Cotton" McLain.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Luther Rhodes officiating. Interment will be in Russell Heights Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to McLain Chapel Cemetery or Trinity Lutheran Cemetery at Egypt Mills.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.