Clenis Dean McClain

Clenis “Mac” Dean McClain was born November 22, 1941 in Waynesville, Missouri to Dewell and Naomi (Pasley) McClain and passed away Friday, August 14, 2026 from a short illness at the age of 84 years old.

He grew up in Missouri and joined the Navy at the age of 18, where he was promoted to a role in Air Rescue on an aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean and later stationed in Kingsville, Texas. While on leave he met Gloria Scruggs at a Corpus Christi, Texas drive-in. After a couple years of dating, they were married for almost 66 years.

He worked as a Powerhouse Forman for PPG Industries and Elementis Chromium for 34 years in Corpus Christi, where he retired and moved to Liberty Hill, taking on a job with Eco Resources as the parks manager for another 10yrs.

Clenis loved to figure out how to fix anything and everything. He once bought a Volkswagon where all the parts were in a wheelbarrow for $50. He bought a book, put that car back together, and would drive it for years. This is just one example of his curious and driven nature that led to him being known as the “fix anything” man. If you ever went to his home, you would find it in immaculate condition, as well as his yard, even into his eighties.

His hobbies were anything outdoors, specifically hunting and fishing. He helped his sons get into auto racing, where he continued to learn new crafts like welding, painting, and numerous other things.

Clenis leaves his wife Gloria McClain as well as two sons Dennis McClain and wife Loretta and Greg McClain and his wife Christa to cherish his memory. He was also blessed with nine grandchildren: Skyla, Ronielle, Alexis, Cassie, Brian, Katelyn, Abigail, Melanie, and James as well as twelve great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Wayne Reese and wife Karen; four sisters: Thelma Steinbauer, Darlene Vineyard and husband Lonnie and Debra Barber and husband Chuck, all of Dixon, MO and Penny Whitt and husband James.

Clenis was preceded in death by his father, mother, sister Adriene, brothers Ralph, Douglas, Bobby, and Carlis.