Jim McClain

James “Jim” McClain of Jenny Lind went to his Heavenly home on May 30, 2017 in a Fort Smith hospital. Jim was retired owner of Jim McClain Small Engines. He previously worked at Montgomery Ward repairing small engines and Baldor Electric for 14 years. Jim loved the Lord and was never ashamed to tell anyone he met about Jesus. He never met a stranger. In 1966, Jim was saved and baptized and became a member of First Baptist Church in Jenny Lind. He was ordained as a deacon in 1969 and drove the church bus for years. Almost daily, you could find Jim on the water catching fish for his annual fish fries for the church and Jenny Lind Community. He felt this was one of his biggest ministries. Jim was best known for his witness for the Lord, his smiling face, his love for fishing, his overalls, his old Ford truck and green boat. The last two years he became a member and attended River of Life Church with his wife, Alma.

Jim married Bertha “Gal” McClain in April 1955 and they had two daughters. They were married for 46 years until her death in 2001. He is survived by his wife of 2 years, Alma “Barbie” McClain of the home; two daughters, Linda Yother and husband, Stan of Fort Smith and Diana Russell and husband, Jason of Sallisaw, OK. He was “Papa Jim” to six grandchildren, Rob Woodhull and wife, Ashley of Hackett, Jamie Bridges and husband ,Lance of Greenwood, Kimberly Davids and husband, Matt of Eudora, KS, Kyle Simmons and wife, Brittany of Fort Smith, Kale Simmons and wife, Courtney of Fort Smith and Kristen Dunn and husband, Will of Sallisaw; twelve great-grandchildren, Natalie Woodhull, Jambri, Lochlyn, Afton and Zert Bridges, Ethan and Baby Davids, Ryker Simmons, Ben and Addi Simmons and Hunner and Cali Dunn.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Saturday, June 3 at Jenny Lind First Baptist Church with burial at Steep Hill Cemetery under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood.

Pallbearers will be Bill Smith, Will Dunn, Kyle Simmons, Kale Simmons, Lance Bridges, Matt Davids, Rob Woodhull and Kenneth McClain. Honorary pallbearers will be Chuck Thames, Bob Wann, Homer Dillard, Harold Thames, Jerry Moss and Robert McClain.

To sign an online guest book, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.