Charles W "Chuck" McClure, age 81, of West Lafayette, slipped the surly bonds of Earth on April 22, 2018. Born July 23, 1936, in Evergreen Park, Ill., he spent his childhood running around the south side of Chicago getting into mischief. He graduated from St. John's Military Academy in 1954 and played trombone in the Army band. After leaving the Army, he attended classes at Purdue University, cutting his teeth in radio by working at WBAA. He would go on to report for the Frankfort Morning Times and the Journal & Courier, and after finding his true calling as a pilot, he helped found Lafayette Aviation (now Purdue Aviation). He loved flying so much he didn't really consider it work; he got a lift from every flight he took and could identify an aircraft by sound alone. He retired in 2004.

He picked the trombone back up later in life and wailed to jazz greats like Duke Ellington and Mel Torme. He was a faithful Purdue sports fan for decades; as he put it, he bled black and gold. He loved to fish on the banks of Coal Creek in Fountain County and the Way of the Wilderness in Minnesota. He had a lovely tenor voice and could be found singing in the church choir most Sunday mornings. He was a voracious reader and enjoyed many genres, especially science fiction and fantasy, aviation and American history.

The only thing he loved more than flying was spending time with family; his wife and kids were the apples of his eye. He was one of the rare people more interested in hearing about you than talking about himself.

Chuck had a hearty laugh, warm smile and kind soul. He touched many more lives than he realized and will be fiercely missed by all who knew him. He will be laid to rest in Oak Ridge Cemetery at his beloved Marmac Farm near Wingate, where he spent countless happy hours.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jane Ring McClure; daughters Molly McClure and Megan McClure (Aaron Menefee); a sister, Jan (David) Guthrie; and brother Michael 'Mick' (Brenda) McClure. He was preceded in death by his parents and son Charles 'Chuck' McClure.

Visitation will be 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, April 26, 2018, at Family and Friends Funeral Home of Wingate, 9700 North State Road 55 Wingate, Indiana, with funeral services at 11 a.m. Friday, April 27, 2018, at Newtown Community Church in Newtown, Indiana, with Pastor Mike Parks officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to YMCA Camp Pinewood, where he was a counselor in his youth; the Experimental Aircraft Association, where he was a member for years; or Newtown Community Church, where he was a member.