Richard Jerome McClure, Sr.

Richard Jerome McClure, Sr., was born in Arkadelphia, Arkansas on September 20, 1969. He was the first born child of Joe Nathan and Gloria Jean Nelson McClure.

He accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of First Memorial Church of God in Christ in Gurdon where he served as a deacon and a member of the brotherhood. Many were drawn to him because of his friendly and down-to-earth personality. “Ricky” or “Big Rick” as he was called by his friends and family was always cool, calm and collected.

Ricky was as 1987 graduate of Arkadelphia High School.  He was always stylish and clean from head to toe. He met the quiet and sweet Lowvonda Sims and they were married in 1999 and together they shared good days and bad well as, love and laughter. He was a loving father and a great grandfather.

Ricky worked in the shipping department at Scroll Technologies. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and attending church. In addition to being a hard worker, he was a family man. He enjoyed the simple pleasures that life offered. He enjoyed sports and get-togethers with family and friends.

On Wednesday, September 18, 2019,just two days shy of his 50th birthday he passed into the Lord’s embrace. He was preceded in death by his father, Joe Nathan McClure (March 11, 2009) and one grandson, Jy’Mir Allison-Buckley (June 27, 2018).

His memory will live forever in the hearts of his wife, Lowvonder Sims McClure of Arkadelphia; his mother, Gloria J. McClure of Curtis, AR; nine children, Cardell Sims, Richard McClure, Jr., Angelia  McClure, Aliyah McClure, Alexandria Buckley, Alissa McClure, Allen McClure, Keon McClure and Zion Summerville all of Arkadelphia; nine grandchildren; one sister, Latarsha McClure of Curtis, AR and two brothers, Eric McClure of Arkadelphia and Brian McClure of Curtis, AR. He also leaves his aunts, Vera Ross, Louise Ross, Blossie Mitchell and Bradie Brown; uncles, Otis McKinney, Nathaniel Trimble, Phenoid McClure and Raymond Beasley; special friends, Bobby Turner, Eunice Butler, Melvin Rucks, Dennis “Chunky” Craig and Kenny “BoBo” McClure, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous friends.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 29, 2019 at West Gum Springs COGIC with Elder James Banks, pastor and Elder Chester Mitchell, Sr., eulogist. Public visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home with the family hour from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at First Memorial COGIC in Gurdon. Interment will be at Curtis Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Warren Horton, Ronnie Bailey, Bobby Turner, Emett Sims, Tony Cunningham, Chris Nelson, Bunker Dickens and Brice Brown. Honorable pallbearers will be the Arkadelphia High School Class of 1987.