James O. MCClain, Jim peacefully passed away on January 28, 2022, at Providence Brookside Manor of Hood River, Oregon. Jim was born August 16, 1928, and was 93 years of age at the time of his passing.

Jim was born in Cove, Oregon to James Theodore and Viola Mae (Loree) McClain. He has been a long-time resident of the Hood River Valley. Jim grew up in Cove with his older brother, Ace and younger sisters, Virginia and Marjoree. In 1936 the family moved to Central Vale in Hood River County. In Central Vale, they lived in a small home on a fruit orchard where his father worked as a field hand. In the late 1930s the family moved to a Highway 35 property near Hanel’s Mill in the community of Mt. Hood. His father grew a small orchard on the property and began a logging career at that time. A younger brother, Teddy joined the family in 1939, but he passed in a tragic train accident in 1940. The youngest sister, Carol joined the family in 1943.

In 1944-1945, Jim’s parents sent the children to live with his grandmother McClain back in Cove, while they worked in Portland building “Liberty Ships” for the war effort. After the war ended, they all moved home to the Mount Hood area. Jim started high school while in Cove and graduated valedictorian at Parkdale High School in 1946.

Jim married his high school sweetheart, Virginia Rose at the Parkdale Presbyterian Church on July 23, 1949 – together they raised three children and in 2019, they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Virginia passed away on March 14, 2020.

He worked early on at the Parkdale Gas Station but eventually found his way back to the woods; falling timber and logging. Timber falling, logging and contracting became his lifelong career. He was very happy being in the woods every day working, hunting or fishing. Jim hunted; deer, elk, antelope, grouse and chukar and he fished anything that swims but especially; trout and steelhead.

In his youth, while in school he played baseball and basketball and he continued as an adult playing on town teams until the 1960’s when his kids started playing and he coached little league and Babe Ruth baseball. He enjoyed bowling and participated with several teams until in his late 80’s. He also took up golf in his later years too.

He was a prolific crossword puzzle guy. He subscribed to the Oregonian to get the news but mostly to get the daily crossword puzzle. He had quite the library of dictionaries and reference books to aid him in this quest.

Jim was a member of The Parkdale Lions Club and loved to attend the “Lions Follies” every spring and did everything he could to support their cause including cooking and serving breakfast in Parkdale once a month. He was also a long-time member of the Parkdale Volunteer Fire Department; he felt it was his duty to support the community. He spent many a late night at the Fire Hall playing pinochle into the wee hours with other members and spouses.

Jim is survived by; daughter, Diana (and husband, Larry) Hitchcock of Milwaukie, Oregon; son, Mick (and wife, Virginia) McClain of The Dalles, Oregon; son-in-law, Rocky Rice of Hood River, Oregon; eight grandchildren, Darci, Rod, Becky, Michelle, Chris, Joshua, Sarah and Elizabeth; and seven great grandchildren, Emily, Garrett, Rose, Riley, Kaden, James and Jordan.

He was preceded in death by; his wife, Virginia; sisters, Virginia Schrock in 2020, Marie Fitzgerald and Carol Hobart; brothers, Teddy and Ace; daughter, Kathy Rice; and grandson, Jeffry Rice.

A graveside service for Jim is planned for 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 11th, 2022 at the Pine Grove Butte Cemetery of Hood River, Oregon. A Celebration of Life for both Jim & Virginia is tentatively planned for May of 2022.

A very special thank you to Brookside Manor’s staff of angels and Providence Hospice of the Gorge for their care of Jim.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.

Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.