Jesse Robert McClain
Jesse Robert McClain, 82, of The Dalles, died at a hospital in Portland on Friday, Oct. 24, 2008.
He was born in Dinuba, Calif., Aug. 20, 1926, to Henry Calvin McClain and Helen Leslie (Case) McClain. In his fourth year of high school he quit to join the U.S. Navy, after Pearl Harbor was attacked and the start of World War II. He served from 1944 – 1947 in the Pacific Ocean on a ship called Nassau.
Jesse met Marjorie Jean Williams on a blind date in Tacoma. He was introduced as Bob who he became known as until his later years. He and Marjorie were married in 1946.
He worked on a ship on the Columbia River doing survey work, worked for the Aluminum Plant in Vancouver and started work on S.P. & S. Railroad as a telegraph operator relocating to Lyle, in 1958.
He married Virginia Arlene Luckey Wiles and they moved to The Dalles in 1991.
He loved cooking, rocks, fishing, camping and horses, which his daughters and grandchildren also loved.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church in The Dalles, Senior Center, Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, American Legion Post 19, Transportation Communications Union and B.N.S.F. Veterans Association.
He was preceded in death by first wife, Marjorie, his parents, a daughter, Julie Ann Casey, two brothers, James and Clifford.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia McClain of The Dalles; his children, Leslie Jean and Gary Pratt and Jeffrey Robert McClain of White Salmon; step sons, Keith and Wanda Wiles of Spokane, Randy Wiles and Teri Wiles both of The Dalles, and Craig and Cheryl Wiles of Centerville; eight grandchildren; 15 great- grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Yantis.
Funeral service will be held Nov. 1, at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, in The Dalles with Pastor Marvin Jones officiating.
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