McClurkin, James Pierce    

James Pierce McClurkin, 91, died Sunday, February 19, 2006, in Houston, Texas. He is 
survived by his son, Phillip and daughter-in-law, Patricia, of Benbrook, Texas; and 
his daughter, Mary and her husband, Jerry Gaffney, and their sons, Greg and Mike, of 
Houston, Texas. Mr. McClurkin was preceded in death by his wife, Mary ; and his 
granddaughter, Melinda Gaffney. For the past three years, he had lived in Houston in 
a care facility located near his daughter. Mr. McClurkin was born February 13, 1915, 
in Stephens, Arkansas. He was educated at Stephens High School and Southern State 
College in Magnolia, Arkansas. He married Mary Ruth Bailey in 1935. He worked for Sun 
Pipe Line and Mid Valley Pipe Line for 49 years and 9 months. Mr. McClurkin lived in 
Longview, Texas, for 43 years, where he was active in his community and the First 
United Methodist Church. Mr. McClurkin was proud of his service in many organizations. 
He was the East Texas representative and president of Sun Oil Employees Association, 
charter member of the Longview YMCA Board of Directors, and chairman of the Longview 
Heart Fund Drive. Mr. McClurkin served in various capacities in the Longview United 
Way. He was chairman of the oil and gas committee for the Longview Chamber of Commerce, 
and president of the East Texas Treatment Center in Kilgore. He served as president of 
the East Texas Oil Men's Golf Association, and he served 10 years as coordinator of 
the Pipeline School of Technology, sponsored by the American Petroleum Institute and 
the University of Texas. Mr. McClurkin served the First United Methodist Church in 
Longview as chairman of various committees and was chairman of the Historical 
Committee that brought 130 years of church history up to date. He was chairman of the 
board for two terms and a trustee for many years. Mr. McClurkin was an avid outdoorsman 
who loved hunting, fishing, and golfing. He had fond memories of the friends he made 
while pursuing these hobbies. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Welch 
Funeral Home, 4619 Judson Road, Longview, Texas 75605. A service will be held 1 p.m. 
Wednesday, February 22, 2006, in the Welch Garden Court, with the Rev. Jerry Turner 
officiating. Donations may be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 707, 
Longview, TX 75606. The family will receive friends 6 p.m. this evening, February 21, 
2006, at the funeral home. An online registry may be signed at www.news-journal.com, 
by clicking on the obituaries link.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 2/21/2006.