Richard Dale McClure

Richard (Ric) Dale McClure passed peacefully at home on March 19, 2026 in Roanoke, Virginia, at 86 years of age.

He is preceded in death by his wife Debra (Debbie) McClure, son Marc McClure, stepdaughter-in-law Arryn St Clair, parents Roy and Pearl McClure, and his older brothers Louis, Donald, and Dwain McClure.

Ric was born and raised in Oklahoma City. He played the trumpet and sang, and he earned an undergraduate degree in music at Oklahoma Baptist University. He studied church music at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and earned his Master of Music Education from Phillips University. He served as Minister of Music in churches in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, and Virginia, forming enduring friendships with church members and fellow musicians. He led his youth choirs on memorable choir tours into Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, and Utah, took his youth groups to camps and ski trips, and attended yearly music conferences at Glorieta Baptist Conference Center near Santa Fe, making many happy memories. He directed a local orchestra, performed in a brass ensemble, and briefly played in the Roanoke College Pep Band at home basketball games.

Ric had an entrepreneurial spirit and started two businesses, AustinHill Restaurant in Waco, Texas, and Shenandoah Robe Company in Roanoke, Virginia. He enjoyed the challenge and excitement of building his businesses, and he enjoyed the people who worked with him.

Ric was a lifelong Oklahoma University fan (naming his cat Baker after the OU quarterback), an avid reader (naming his dog Winston after reading many Churchill biographies), and an enthusiastic flower gardener. He treasured gathering in Oklahoma with his large extended family each Thanksgiving.

Ric is survived by his sister Carol Gathright, son Brad (Leichelle) McClure, stepdaughter Michelle St Clair (John Roberts), stepson Jerry St Clair (Teri), and stepson Todd St Clair; his grandchildren Mitchell McClure (Lauren), Emily Suggs (Joel), Erica McClure, Elaina McClure, Samantha Malone, Sydney Malone (Candice), Ethan St Clair (Kendra), Cameron St Clair (Katie), and Dakota Lam; his great grandchildren Tucker, Jack, and Crew McClure, Kaleb and Karlee Malone, Kynsley’skyy, Kyleigh’reign, and Kyreiella’storm St Clair, and Esther Lam, along with many beloved nieces and nephews and their families.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 28 at Heights Community Church in Roanoke, Virginia, with Visitation at 1:00 followed by the Service at 2:00.