Mel Kent McClain

Mel Kent McClain, 71, of Roanoke, Ind., passed away on September 9, 2026, at Lutheran Hospital. Born February 7, 1955, in Columbia City, Ind., he was a son of the late Gerald Gene “Mac” and Nelda Mae (Runge) McClain. Mel attended Wayne High School, class of 1973, and started working at 15 years old as a Caddy at Orchard Ridge Country Club. After graduation, he furthered his education at ITT Technical Institute, earning an associate degree in Electronics. After graduating college, Mel married the love of his life, Karen, on February 14, 1976, and together they started a family. In 1980, Mel bought Fort Wayne Awning Company and owned that company until he sold it in 2023. Even after selling the company, Mel was dedicated to the shop and continued to work there with WOWO playing in the background. The Awning Company was always the place where everyone gathered at the end of their workdays to sit around, solve the world's problems, and play cards. If he wasn't at work, you could find him at Orchard Ridge Country Club playing a round of golf and chatting in the club house with his buddies. Mel and Karen had two daughters, April and Ashley, and through marriages of their own, he finally gained two sons with Garrett & Scott. A proud patriot, the Fourth of July was his favorite holiday and his daughter’s birthday. He loved putting on an extravagant Fourth of July party consisting of large firework displays and fun, family cookouts. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Karen (Volosin) McClain of Roanoke; daughters, April (Garrett) Cook of Fort Wayne and Ashley (Scott) McClain- Eley of Waynesville, Ohio; four grandchildren, Briana, Bella, Nico, and Dorian; brothers, Gerry and Larry McClain, both of Fort Wayne; sister, Linda (Tom) Denney of Albion, Ind.; and sister-in-law, Diane McClain of Fort Wayne. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Jayme Hapner; brothers, Dane and Brett McClain; sister-in-law, Sandy McClain; and father-in-law, Joseph “Joe” Volosin. Private Services will be held by the family. Inurnment will also take place at a later date at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Fort Wayne. In lieu of flowers, preferred memorial contributions may be made to the "ORCC Caddy Fund" in care of Orchard Ridge Country Club. Checks can be mailed to Orchard Ridge Country Club at 4531 Lower Huntington Rd., Fort Wayne, Ind., 46809; ATTN: Michelle Lewis. For online condolences, please visit www.greenlawnmpfh.com.