It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Elder Alfred C. McClure, former president of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists. Elder McClure passed away on Tuesday, August 1, at the age of 74.
For the past years, Elder McClure had been battling lung cancer. His initial chemotherapy treatments allowed him to continue traveling, attend church, and exercise. In the last few weeks of his life, tumors were found in his brain. Although radiation treatments were administered, they did not cure the tumors.
Survivors include his wife, Frances; and his children, Sally, Al Jr., and Scott.
Ordained as a Seventh-day Adventist minister in the Florida Conference in 1959, Elder McClure served many areas of the Church:
* Evangelist, Florida Conference, 1954-1956
* Pastor, Florida Conference, 1956-1963
* Pastor, Missouri Conference, St. Louis, 1963-1967
* Department Director, Georgia-Cumberland Conference, 1967-1973
* President, Wyoming Conference, 1973-1977
* President, Kansas Conference, 1977-1978
* President, Kentucky-Tennessee Conference, 1978-1980
* President, Southern Union Conference, 1980-1990
Elder McClure was elected to serve as the president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America at the 55th General Conference Session in Indianapolis, IN. During his 10-year leadership, more than 250,000 people were baptized in North America as well as the establishment of the Division as a distinct administrative unit. He was also in the forefront of satellite evangelism in the 1990’s, the first of which was NET ‘95 with more than 150,000 people attending the opening meeting in more than 2,000 locations.
Memorial services will be held on Sabbath, August 5, at 3:00 p.m. at the Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist Church, 4829 College Drive E, Collegedale, TN 37315. Phone: (423) 396-2134. This is on the campus of Southern Adventist University. The family will receive visitors immediately after the service.
Arrangements are being made at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421. Phone: (423) 894-2010. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Southern Adventist University Worthy Student Fund, P.O. Box 370, Collegedale, TN 37315.
Messages of condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Frances McClure
29 Sandpiper Trail
Ringgold, GA 30736
