Charles Edward McClure

Charles was born November 18,1930, in Marion, North Carolina, and spent his early childhood on his family’s farm in nearby Clyde. When he was a teenager, he and his family relocated to Hopewell, Virginia, where he resided until he joined the U.S. Air Force. After completing his four-year commitment in the U.S. and Korea, Charles settled in the northeast, where he met and married the love of his life, Lorraine Taylor of Long Island, New York. The newlyweds moved to New Jersey, and Charles completed his training to become a journeyman painter.

Lorraine and Charles left New Jersey for Port Hueneme, California with their young daughter, Shirley, in 1963. He joined Union Local 955, for which he later served as vice-president and president. In 1982, he started his own business, Charles McClure Painting, which he operated with his son-in-law and daughter. He retired in 1995. During his retirement he continued to help his former colleagues and clients connect and finish jobs.

During his career, Charles contributed his time and knowledge to many organizations: he served on the Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Painter’s Apprenticeship Committee for thirty-five years, and was chairman of the All-Trade Apprenticeship Committee for fifteen years. Additionally, he served as president of the Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Master Painting Contractors Association, and chaired or was a trustee for numerous other trust funds and committees.

Throughout his life Charles has been a mentor, surrogate parent, and friend to many young people. In his younger years he coached Pony League Baseball and later helped hundreds of young apprentices achieve journeyman status.

He loved westerns and fishing and was active in his church. During the final year of his life he was not able to leave his home much, but he had many visitors, family and neighbors who continued to visit with him.

He is preceded in death by his wife Lorraine and parents, Etta (née Sanford) and Houston McClure, as well as six siblings: Ruth (Brodie), Leonard, Myrtle (McCroskey), Dortha (Miller), CB, Christine, and Ray. He is survived by his daughter Shirley McClure Huckleberry and her husband Howard of Ventura, their three children Handsel Huckleberry, his partner Eileen of Ventura, Lauren Perdue, her husband Mike and their three children Haley, Kayla, and Olivia of Kansas City, MO, Steven Huckleberry, his wife Yuri of South Korea and a great many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service and interment for immediate family will take place at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, Ventura, on February 10th; a memorial service will be scheduled at a future date.

In lieu of flowers please donate to C.A.R.L.( 805-525-3212 ) where his beloved granddog Rory was adopted. Charles always preferred small dogs and was a bit fearful of his daughter's 75 pound pit bull mix, however during the lockdown, Charles and Rory bonded and became very close. Other suggestions are the Oxnard Senior Nutrition Program (805)385-8029, The Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer (721 Doris Ave., Oxnard, CA, 93030).

The family would like to express their gratitude to Lisa Schewe, Julie Jensen, and Joey Moreno for their friendship, support, and love throughout the years. Thank you.