James Henry McClure

Poppa, James Henry McClure, was known to his friends as Pete. Poppa was a fifth-generation cattle rancher, born on his family’s ranch in Palo Pinto, Texas, on June 24, 1933, to Henry Wallace McClure and Bessie Mae (Tompkins) McClure. Poppa was one of the last living descendants of the Tompkins Cabin at Log Cabin Village in Fort Worth, Texas.

In his early childhood, he could often be found racing his Model A down Highway 4 or floating his yellow mare down the Brazos River. He loved the outdoors and carried memories of times long past.

His parents let him drive to school starting in the third grade, where he met the love of his life, Emma Jean (Price) McClure. They were married on February 7, 1950.

During their nearly 76 years of marriage, they built a beautiful life and a wonderful family. They had two children, Kalyn Jo (McClure) Whitworth and James Russell McClure. Poppa coached Little League baseball in River Oaks, was a member of a travel trailer club, became a thirty second-degree Mason and a Shriner, worked in the insulation trade, and loved to travel. He truly shined on a road trip and especially loved going to Colorado.

If you ever sat and talked with him, he would tell you the best stories about growing up in the country and living life to the fullest. When he was young, his older sister was very ill. As his parents tried to save her, the responsibilities of the ranch fell to him. In his later years, he still mowed his yard on a tiny tractor, in neat rows like he was baling hay. He hated chickens because he had to fetch eggs, and he always had a dog and a horse. If the Model A was not working, he would ride his horse to school. The schoolteacher held him back 30 minutes after class so the other students could walk home and he would not splash them with his car. He told stories of building cabins at Possum Kingdom Lake with his dad and also spoke of gardening with his mother and riding in their wagon to and from neighbors’ homes.

Poppa passed away on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His last days were long, and he never gave up—a true cowboy, the last of a dying breed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Wallace McClure and Bessie Mae (Tompkins) McClure, and his sister, Anita Jo (McClure) Richardson.

He is survived by his loving wife, Emma Jean (Price) McClure.

He is survived by his children, Kalyn (McClure) Whitworth, married to Steve Whitworth of Weatherford, and Russell McClure, married to Lanette (Florida) McClure of Greenwood.

He is also survived by his grandchildren: Whistle Whitworth, married to Brook (Small) Whitworth of Fort Worth; Amanda (Whitworth) Carothers, married to Judd Carothers of Aledo; Audrey (Whitworth) Hobbs, married to Zach Hobbs of Brock; Jennifer (McClure) Walton, married to Josh Walton of Haslett; Watkins Whitworth, married to Katy (Swan) Whitworth of Weatherford; and Jessica McClure of Greenwood.

His great-grandchildren include Wylder Carothers, Tinsley Carothers, Anna Whitworth, Stratton Whitworth, Henry Hobbs, Cotton Hobbs, Doc Hobbs, Grady Whitworth, Harrison Whitworth, and Stella Walton.

He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Maxine (Price) Lefkowski and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will take place on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Whites Funeral Home, with burial to follow at Graford Cemetery.