George Leonard McClain, Jr., 89, died after a brief illness on February 23, 2014, at OCH Regional Medical Center. He had been a Starkville resident since 1953. He was an avid sportsman, golfer, fisherman, and MSU sports enthusiast.

Mr. McClain was born in Choctaw County on May 28, 1924, to George Leonard McClain, Sr. and Cora Ester Fondren McClain.

George was a World War II veteran, having served in the Pacific Theatre with the 5th Air Force, 90th Bomb Group, as a gunner on A-20 and A-26 aircrafts. He was on Okinawa, when the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and then Japan, until February 1946, at which time he was discharged. After two years at Holmes Junior College, he married Jean Price, and took employment with the Railway Postal Service until he was called to duty from the reserves during the Korean Conflict. He served one year at Langley Air Field, Virginia, when he was again discharged.

He was offered the management of a new finance company which local businessmen in Starkville were opening. Mr. McClain decided to accept and moved from Memphis to Starkville. After some difficult periods, he stayed with the insurance segment of the company until 1986, when he retired.

Mr. McClain was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Jean, sister, Helen McClain King, and brother, Elmo Fondren McClain.

He is survived by three sisters, Reba McClain Harris of Augusta, West Virginia; Bobbie McClain Gore (Albert) of Starkville, Mississippi and Betty McClain Boyd (Claude) of North Augusta, South Carolina. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Charlotte Price McGill of South Pittsburgh, Tennessee, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was also blessed with an abundance of loving friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2014 from 12:00-2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church in Starkville, MS, with the funeral service immediately following. Burial will be in Oddfellows Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Bain Sunday School Class, or Palmer Home for Children.