On
Saturday, Feb. 12, former U.S. Champion and long-time official Jimmy McClure
died at age 88. He is survived by his wife, Nell, who he married 48 years ago in
1957.
McClure had a long and distinguished career as both a player and official. Probably the highlights of his playing career were winning men's doubles at the worlds three straight years (1936-38; the first two with R.G. Blattner, the last with Sol Schiff), and men's teams in 1937. He was the U.S. Open Men's Singles Champion in 1934 and 1939, and held numerous other titles. He was one of the five initial members of the USATT Hall of Fame in 1966 (along with Ruth Aarons, Dick Miles, Leah Neuberger and Sol Schiff). In 2001 he was awarded the Mark Matthews Lifetime Achievement Award.
McClure was a current member of the USATT Board of Directors as the Vice President & Foundation Representative. He chaired the USATT's Olympic Foundation, Equipment Committee, and Hall of Fame Committee. He also chaired the ITTF's Hall of Fame Committee, and was a member of the ITTF Advisory Committee. He was certified as an international umpire, and was an active umpire at major U.S. tournaments for many years. He held many previous positions, such as U.S. Team Captain, ITTF Olympic Commissioner for North America, and ITTF Vice President for North America.
USATT President Sheri Pittman put together an online guest book where you can write about your own memories of McClure and read others.
You should also read Tim Boggan's very extensive Hall of Fame write-up of McClure, part one and part two.
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