Kermit Charles McClure

Kermit was born July 26, 1935 to the late Robert Leonard and Anna Harriet Carr McClure in Charlotte, NC, where he was raised and resided throughout his life. Kermit was baptized, confirmed, and raised in the faithful fellowship of First United Methodist Church in uptown Charlotte, where he also met and married the love of his life, his late wife “Ginger” Evangeline McConnel, on October 1st, 1954.

Kermit was a devoted member of the United Methodist Men, sang in church choirs all of his life as long as he was able – along with his wife who joined him weekly in the choir for over 40 years. Kermit supported church ministries with steadfast devotion of his time, talents, gifts, and witness. He loved all of his friends in Sunday School and the extended church family. Kermit supported his four children through weekly church Sunday School, youth, music, drama, basketball, and scouting programs, drove the Sunbeam Class’s church van for many years, and along with Ginger, served neighbors in need through the “Room In The Inn” for several years. Until he was no longer able, Kermit regularly visited church friends at their homes or in hospitals and care facilities, and was faithful to send handwritten cards of encouragement with scripture and personal prayer.

As devoted as Kermit was to his church family, he was evermore devoted his own family’s well-being and nurture in faith. Through years of working various full-time and part-time jobs to provide for his family’s needs, Kermit worked primarily in shipping and distribution management for Sealtest Dairy, W.T. Grant’s, and Armature Winding Company. He made time to be with his children for guidance, for play time, picnics, camping, fishing, and for support through their rough patches. Kermit dearly loved all of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and he made sure to tell them so.

Kermit is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Charles and Nancy McClure of Charlotte; his son James McClure of Charlotte; his daughter and son-in-law AnnaLuree and Douglas Wright of Concord; his son Paul McClure of Morganton, NC; his eight grandchildren and spouses, and twenty-four great-grandchildren; his sister-in-law Janu M. Kirtley of Parma, Idaho; and several nephews, nieces, and cousins.

The family will share in a graveside inurnment service on July 17th, 2:00pm at Forest Lawn West. Friends are invited to share in a memorial service that same afternoon, 3:00 p.m., at First United Methodist Church, 501 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202. There will be time after the service for informal visitation with the family. Church parking is available off West 9th Street in the basement parking deck of the 525 Building at the corner of West 9th and North Tryon streets. Given the unpredictable effects of current COVID-19 strains on different people, family groups are asked to sit together in the sanctuary pews, allowing for distance between groups. Face masks are left to each person’s discretion, but encouraged during extended socializing indoors.

Funeral arrangements are provided through Forest Lawn West funeral home. Rev. Valerie B. Rosenquist will oversee funeral and memorial services. Thank you for sharing memorial gifts to the church or charity of your choice, or to these dear to Kermit’s heart: St. Jude’s Hospital; Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina; and The Men’s Shelter of Charlotte.