Ira McLean

Ira B. McLean Jr.

June 08, 1927 - February 09, 2017
Online Obituaries for Midway KY

Ira B. McLean Jr., 89, passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2017.

Sunday School Teacher; Trustee; Deacon and Deacon Emeritus at Midway Baptist Church; Loved his church and was the first to arrive 30-minutes early -- any time the doors were open for a service; Read his Bible from cover to cover on 8 separate occasions, and loved to play Biblical trivia games; Avid fisherman and boater; Loved Cumberland Lake and travelled it from the Dam to the headwaters; Former Farmer and Tiller of the Land; Played Fast Pitch Softball; Former Little League Baseball Coach; Lifelong supporter of the Cincinnati Reds, who attended games at Crosley Field, Riverfront Stadium and Great American Ballpark; Saw Hall of Famer Johnny Bench's first Major League Game and now has an autographed baseball from the Former Reds' great; Had a recent conversation with Reds' Hall of Famer Pete Rose - who called him on the phone, and told Pete that if he wasn't in the Baseball Hall of Fame then they "should burn it down;" watched UK football and Babe Parelli at the old Shively Field and watched UK basketball at Alumni Hall & Memorial Coliseum - including the Fabulous Five, the Fiddlin' Five and Rupp's Runts; had his first date with his teenage sweetheart, Elizabeth Woodruff, at Cliffside Restaurant in Frankfort, KY and he ended up being married to her for 70 years, 1-month and nine days; Loving Husband, Father, Grand-Father, Great-Grand Father, Brother, Uncle, Cousin and Friend; a man's man who always bought Ford cars and trucks because they were the "finest vehicles ever made in America;" and only purchased products made by Proctor & Gamble, where he worked for 31 years; overcame open heart surgery, stomach surgery, back surgery, kidney surgery, five bouts of kidney stones and numerous other physical ailments to live 89 years, and 7 months - which is longer than any other male in his family; one of the world's greatest lovers of gospel and country music - despite the fact that he couldn't sing a lick - and travelled far and wide to see some of the best entertainers in the music industry, including the Masters 5 and the great J.D. Sumner and the Statler Brothers; and a man who stripped tobacco - the old fashion way - until he was in his 70s. He was not big in stature, standing about 5-foot-6 and weighing just over 100 pounds. But he had the memory of a genius; the stamina of a steel-drivin' man; the humor of Red Skelton; and the heart of a giant. His headstone won't carry all these words, but his legacy will speak to them all - in the hearts, minds of memories of his friends and family. "Go Rest High on That Mountain," is what Vince Gill would sing to you on this day. Your work on Earth is done. Goodbye for now, Good and Faithful Servant. And, until we meet again, know that we love you and miss you already.

In addition to his wife Elizabeth McLean, he is survived by his daughter Iraline (Art) Craig, Midway; his son Gene (Leigh Ann) McLean, Louisville; his sisters Doris Culbertson, Stanford and Georgette Towles, Lexington; his brothers Raymond McLean, Frankfort and Edward McLean, Frankfort; his grandchildren Neil Craig, Nathan Craig, Rachael Jackson, Brad McLean, Alex Sharp, and Will Thacker; and his 8 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister Estelle Simon and his brothers Walter, Harold, and Boyce McLean.