David John Gordon McClure

With a heart full of love and a life well-lived, David McClure, a firefighter, farmer, orchardist, small boat builder, and lifelong adventurer, has set sail on his final journey. A man of many talents—and even more passions—Dave lived life with a steady hand, a kind heart, and a twinkle in his eye that could rival his expressive eyebrows.

For 60 years, he was the devoted husband to Gloria, his unwavering partner in life and love. Together they built a family filled with laughter and adventure. His children—Gordon, Tim, and Allison—and grandchildren—Jacquelyn, Aidan, Ethan, and Jacob—were lucky to know him as a man of integrity and, humor, with a kind heart, who never once uttered a bad word (a fact confirmed by his grandson, Ethan).

Born in Vernon, BC, Dave spent his early years in Oyama, where he developed an everlasting bond with the land (a connection strong enough to later convince him that digging an entire swimming pool by hand was a perfectly reasonable idea). His childhood adventures were only briefly interrupted by his family's move to Ontario during the Second World War, but they soon returned, and Dave’s love for Oyama flourished once again.

From his days as a Queen Scout, learning skills that would serve him in countless outdoor adventures, to his time at UBC studying forestry, Dave was never one to sit still for long. That became crystal clear when he made the jump from his life as a purchasing agent for Sun Rype to something a little less office-bound — first opening McClure Sports World, then onto his career as a firefighter with the Kelowna Fire Department.

A man of many talents, Dave was a gifted woodworker (though, perhaps, should have rethought the basement sailboat project), a self-taught mechanic, and the family’s go-to problem solver. If something needed fixing, building, or generally reimagining in an unconventional way, Dave was your guy.

Dave had a deep bond with his dog, Billy, who, despite never receiving formal training, was deemed a natural when it came to herding animals—whether they agreed or not. The two spent countless days exploring the farm in Armstrong, embarking on long drives, and indulging in Dairy Queen ice cream and salted peanuts.

Dave’s love for history turned family vacations into legendary adventures that often doubled as historical field trips. His children and grandchildren learned to camp, canoe, ski, fish, and (sometimes begrudgingly) work hard, all while soaking up his wisdom. He was the type of dad who taught his kids they could do tough things, often leading by example—whether that meant constructing a pool with nothing but a shovel or teaching them to sail through both calm and stormy waters.

A lover of all things water-related, Dave was just as comfortable in a canoe or a sailboat as he was on land. His handcrafted cedar-strip canoe, built at the firehall during work hours (an unsanctioned Kelowna Fire Department event), carried him through the grueling Whiskeyjack Tour canoe race multiple times, earning him the coveted trophy with his legendary ability to navigate the Kettle River under a load of aluminum and glass containers. His love of sailing took him and Gloria through British Columbia’s Gulf Islands and to regattas with his sons, Tim and Gord, where his small boat design carried more heart than it did speed.

Golf was another unexpected arena where Dave excelled. Despite a high handicap, he won championships at the Salmon Arm Golf Club and famously defeated renowned Kelowna golf pros in a yearly golf invitational in Spokane— winning the coveted purple jacket without ever appearing to practice. His skills on the greens were as mysterious as his ability to order a "Chocolate Chipmunk Ice Cream" in Barkerville, BC without his glasses—a moment of joy his family never let him forget.

Later in life, Dave sold the farm in Armstrong and came home to Oyama (He refused to recognize Lake Country). Though health challenges arose, Dave refused to slow down. He continued to travel, build, and explore, finding joy in both grand international travels and quiet moments spent fixing up whatever Gloria said needed repairing. His passion for agriculture and his dedication to the community led him to serve on the District of Lake Country Agricultural Advisory Committee, where his knowledge and love for the land helped shape local decisions.

David McClure was a man of strength, kindness, adventure, and ingenuity. His stories, his laughter, and his unwavering love for his family will live on in every camping trip, every freshly built piece of furniture, and every pool that might require a bit of hand-dug effort. Dave now joins his father, Gordon; mother, Ruth; and sister, Maureen, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, adventure, and an insatiable love for the sweeter things in life. His spirit remains in every ripple on the water, every echo of his single guitar song, and every knowing lift of an eyebrow that suggests an impromptu ice cream run.

To honor Dave, take your dog on a drive, learn at least one song on guitar to play proudly, and never pass up the chance to order dessert—especially if you can’t quite read the menu. Dave taught us that a good story is never truly over and always deserves retelling. If you have memories to share, please email them to [email protected] . Let's keep the legend of Dave alive.

Fair winds, Dave. You were one of a kind and so loved.

Arrangements entrusted with First Memorial Funeral Services (Dignity Memorial) Kelowna, BC 250-762-2299