Robert Mcclain

Luginbuel Funeral Home of Vinita, 918-256-5555 -- Robert Suiter McClain, retired retail merchant died at the Veterans Hospital in Claremore on June 6. He was born to John Clarence and Pearl Irene (Snyder) McClain in Lowry City, MO on July 16, 1924. He attended school in Lamar, MO where he excelled in music. He played trumpet in the Lamar Marching Band & Orchestra. He also played in a dance band called the "Jumping Jivers". He joined the Army in 1943 and was stationed with the 110th Battalion in England. He was later transferred to the Signal Repair Unit in Paris and later in Belgium. After his discharge in 1946 he met Mary Lou Willoughby in Joplin, MO. They were married in 1948 and moved to Colombia, MO where Bob resumed his studies at the University of Missouri. He graduated in 1949 with a bachelor's degree in marketing. After graduation he and Mary Lou moved to Ft. Smith, AR where he was employed by the Mid-Continent Oil Co. for several years. Always wanting to own his own business he moved to Vinita in 1953 and opened the Western Auto Store, then the McClain Music Store in 1968, and Radio Shack in 1975. He continued to work until 2000 when he sold his last business and retired. He was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi Business Fraternity and avid Missouri Tiger fan. Bob was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Vinita, Lions Club, American Legion and the V.F.W. He was preceded in death by his parents and step-father, E. T. Witty. Bob is survived by his wife Mary Lou of the home, daughters: Gwen Trzcinski and husband Jon of Oklahoma City, Cynthia Conine of Vinita, and son John McClain of Fayetteville, West VA. Also grandson Hugh Conine and granddaughter Stephanie Conine of Oklahoma City. Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church of Vinita with Rev. Sonja Tobey officiating. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. at the Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery in Joplin, MO. Services are under the direction of Luginbuel Funeral Home. Friends may give to the First United Methodist Church of Vinita or the charity of choice. Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemories.com

Visitation Details

Saturday, June 7th, 2014 1:00pm - 8:00pm, Luginbuel Funeral Home Vinita

Sunday, June 8th, 2014 9:00am - 8:00pm

Monday, June 9th, 2014 9:00am - 8:00pm

Service Details

Tuesday, June 10th, 2014 11:00am, First United Methodist Church - Vinita

Interment Details

Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery