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February 12, 1993
JAMES McCLURE
Ross resident - James Wyman McClure of Ross, manager of Wilkes Bashford in San Francisco and one of the founders of Western Onion Singing Telegram service, died Saturday, February 6, 1993, at home. He was 47.
His interest in singing telegrams stemmed from his study of music. He had been a student of San Francisco Conservatory of Music and also sang in local productions – including work with the San Francisco Symphony Chorus.
He was a native of San Anselmo. He spent most of his life in Corte Madera.
He was a graduate of Redwood High School and attended College of Marin and Elsinore College in Denmark.
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Edward (Jeff) Garrison
Jim was a friend of mine, from grammer school on. He was sharp, witty and kind. In Mrs. fisher's 3rd grade class, at Neil Cummins, he was so active that Mrs. Fisher would seat belt him into his desk to keep him still. Over the years our lives touched base from time to time and, off and on for a year or so, about '69, it must have been, i would hang out at his house in San Anselmo/Fairfax ( to get away from my then wife - don't ask). Jim was always a very good guy. I last saw him at Jim Georgedes' memorial service, where he gave a touching eulogy.
Sandy McKean
Jim was my best friend in high school. His premature death due to AIDS was a huge blow to me. I spent several days and nights with Jim just before he died (I lived in Seattle then....still do). He was his sensitive, positive self to the very end. I think of him at least once a week. He gave me so much.....especially his love. That's what Jim did best.....love! Jeff, I too used to hang out at the Fairfax/San Anselmo house (Creek Road we called it) best parties EVER. My greatest solice regarding Jim is that my current wife of 35 years (Kathy) got to know him before he died -- perhaps the 2 most important people of my generation in my life.....certainly the 2 who have understood me the best.
Willis Blackmore
I am saddened to hear of Jim's passing. I didn't know him well, but was always impressed by his quiet, kind atitude. In retropsect, he reinds me a bit of Spock, and Alan Rickman, with his towering, all-seeing vantage. Jim seemed to always be noticing what was going on, and to have something to say, in is quiet way. Such a likeable guy. Be at peace now, Jim, and may all henceforth be always better!
Carol (Humm) Scott (Berreyesa)
Jim was a very loving guy. He alway made me feel like life was good and we could fly.........
Love to you, Jim.
Thomas Tuttle
I only had contact wih Jim through choir and the musical South Pacific. He had the best voice I had ever heard. He also did a report on Ray Charles that really impressed me and I always thought he would be involved in music in some way. We have lost way too many friends to AIDS.
Sandy McKean
Hi Tom,
I too always thought Jim would have a career in music, and in a sense he did.
It is, of course, very difficult to make a living in the arts; and Jim didn't make it big as only a very few do; but for a while, at least, he made a living at it. Once Jim came to realize that he was gay, he naturally became very involved in the gay community in San Francisco. I don't remember the names, but a small group in that community, including Jim, created a brand new business calling themselves "Western Onion". You might remember them. Jim and his friends invented what we now call the "singing telegram". It was quite successful for a time. The business was, of course, easily imitated, and they eventually went defunct. Jim was very happy in those years; but then Jim was nearly always happy except when so many of those in his community died of AIDS (including our own Jim Georgedes). It was very painful for Jiim in those years in the 80s and 90s when his friends were dying one after the other. I remember being astonished while visiting Jim just before his death to see photograph after photograph on his refrigerator of those that had died (many of whom I had known). It must have been like some horrible war zone for him and his friends.