John Robert "Bob" McClure

Bob was born April 15, 1926, son of the late Pearl Taylor McClure and Augustus Eugene McClure. Upon graduating from Central High School, Charlotte, NC, in 1944, he enlisted in the US Navy and proudly served several tours in the Atlantic and Pacific. On June 2, 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa, his life forever changed when he was introduced to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Upon returning from WWII, he prepared for a life of ministry, receiving an Associate’s Degree from Mars Hill College and Bachelor’s Degree from Bob Jones University. He furthered his training at Southeastern Seminary, New Orleans Theological Seminary, and Moody Bible College.

Bob met and married the love of his life, Frances Ripley McClure, in 1952. Together they started a family and shared a life of Christian ministry. They served first at Paperville Baptist Church in Bristol, VA. They also served at Dan Graham Bible College in Bristol. After returning to Greenville in 1957, they started Morningside Baptist Church in their home, a still-thriving local church with a global reach through Open Door Baptist Missions. In 1964, they founded International Plastics, a now second-generation family business that also supports ministries worldwide. In 1971, Bob turned his focus to Christian radio, a lifelong passion for sharing the gospel through the airwaves. Throughout his career, he was involved in building and operating 44 stations throughout the USA and 4 international missionary stations. He founded multiple other ministries, including Missionary Broadcasters, Inc., Tower Power, Inc., Tracts, Inc., and Globe Missions.

As Bible teachers and faithful disciples of Christ, He and Fran traveled 14 times to the Holy Land as teaching tour leaders. Their love for travel led them to many countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Haiti. The seeds of faith they sowed together are being harvested around the world.

Beyond all his accomplishments, he will always be remembered for his enduring dedication to his wife of 58 years, whom he lovingly took care of for 9 years after she suffered a debilitating stroke that left her mute and partially paralyzed until her homegoing in 2010.

After Fran’s death, at the young age of 84, he and his late son Rob co-founded the LifeFM, a radio network of Southern Gospel music stations, which now includes 28 stations in 10 states.

Somehow while accomplishing all this, he found time to be a devoted husband, father, and adored grandfather, known affectionately as “Big Dad". He is preceded by his wife Frances Ripley McClure and his oldest son Rob McClure, and a great-granddaughter Emmy. He is survived by Rob’s widow (Elizabeth), four children: Steve and (Julie) McClure, Carolyn and (Jim) Robinson, Jon and (Jennifer) McClure, and Mark and (Susan) McClure; fourteen grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

He was a dedicated member of Brushy Creek Baptist Church, where he loved to teach prophecy in his Sunday school class. He lived with purpose, loved with passion, gave generously, served extravagantly, and longed for his precious Savior's return. His family is comforted by his enormous legacy and will forever cherish the memories of his life, well-lived.

Visitation will be held at Brushy Creek Baptist Church, Taylors, on Sunday, November 14, from 1:15 pm - 2:15 pm. A memorial service will follow at 2:30pm. Burial will be at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Greenville following service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to one of the following:

The LifeFM: thelifefm.com

Open Door Baptist Missions: odbm.org

The service for Bob will be live streamed beginning at 2:20PM on Sunday November 14, 2021 at www.brushycreek.org.