He was the second of four children of Ann and Frank McClure. In 1944 the McClure Family moved to Claycomo, Missouri.
Richard graduated from North Kansas City High School in 1961. During his years in high school, he worked at the Ford Plant Cafeteria and as a deliveryman for Ford Production. After graduating from high school, he began a sheet metal apprenticeship program. In the fall of 1961, he left the apprenticeship program and attended Northwest Missouri State Teachers College for one year. In the fall of 1962, he entered Finley Engineering College and completed two years of schooling there.
In 1964, Richard returned to Ford and started on the production line. In 1966, Richard would leave Ford and reentered the sheet metal apprenticeship program, however 3 months into the program he was called to serve in the US Army. Richard received his basic training in Fort Carson, Colorado and 1967 he would be sent to Vietnam. Richard would receive his honorable discharge from the Army in 1968, returning to Kansas City to work as a sheet metal apprentice. His apprenticeship would last 4 years including 1 year in refrigeration school. Following his sheet metal apprenticeship’s Richard would work for numerous companies including owning his own business.
Richard would join his brother to run Golden Gate Liquors in 1979.
After his brothers passing in 1998, Richard would sell the family business and enter the building rental business until his passing.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Ann Havens; and his brother, Eddie McClure.
Survivors include his son, Rodney McClure; his daughter, Ranae (Bill) Pruitt; his brother, David (Karen) McClure; his grandchildren, Jacob McClure, Ashley Pruitt, and Adam Pruitt; lifelong friends, Ralph Sinclair and Cora Lewis; numerous nephews, nieces, extended family, and friends.
