Clinton (Bud) McLain

   Clinton (Bud) McLain, loving husband, father and grandfather passed away peacefully in Fort Worth on Saturday, May 10, 2014. Bud was born in Foard City, Texas on Nov. 21, 1919, to Pete and Mary McLain. His family included an older brother and five sisters. Bud loved God and was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ. From an early age, he worked on the family farm, driving a wagon and team of horses at age six to the cotton gin in Crowell which was 20 miles round trip.
   Bud began his education in Foard City, later graduating from Crowell High School in 1937 where he was a starter on the basketball team. His father Pete passed away the following year, and Bud took charge of the family farm. He balanced that responsibility with attending Draughon’s Business School in Abilene.
   During World War II, Bud joined the Army, serving at General Douglas MacArthur’s headquarters in Manila in the Philippines. Following the war, he returned to Crowell to resume responsibility for the family farm. In 1948, Bud discovered his lifelong love of flying. Partnering with Hamp Naylor, he ran flight schools in both Vernon and Crowell.
   Bud’s business school training helped him found McLain Farm Equipment in 1949. In 1950, he married the love of his life, June Anderson of Fairmount, Delaware, whom he met while she was teaching in Vernon.  Their successful marriage lasted almost 65 years.
   Bud was a born leader and was active in the civic affairs of his community. He was a long-time member of the Crowell Rotary Club, becoming a Paul Harris Fellow. Bud was a Director of the Federal Land Bank and was selected for the Vernon College Foundation Board. He also served for more than 20 years as a Director of the Crowell State Bank. Bud was also honored by the Crowell Chamber of Commerce with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Community Development.
   During his years as a J.I. Case dealer, Bud was selected as one of 12 representatives from the U.S. and Canada to serve on the Case Company Dealer Council. He was also elected President of the Southwest Implement Dealers Association
   Bud retired from McLain Farm Equipment at the age of 87 after 58 years in business.
   The viewing will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.,  on Tuesday, May 13 at the Womack-Manard  Funeral Home in Crowell. The funeral will begin at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 14 at the Crowell Church of Christ.
   He is survived by his wife, June Anderson McLain; his daughter, Cathy Garrett, and her sons, Breck and wife Eleanor, and Michael and wife Samantha; his daughter, Kristi Hoban, her husband, Dick, son Jeffrey, and daughter Sarah Pennebaker and husband Sid; and numerous nieces and nephews.
   In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Clinton (Bud) and June McLain Scholarship, Vernon College Foundation, 4400 College Drive, Vernon, TX, 76384.