Service
Thursday, July 11, 2024| Viewing: 9:00 a.m. |Service: 10:00 a.m.|
Howell Funeral Home Chapel| 10220 Guilford Road | Jessup, MD 20794
Celebration of Life Live-streaming Link
Interment
Meadowridge Memorial Park Cemetery | Elkridge, Maryland
Obituary
Patrick Henry McClain was the elder of two sons born to William Henry McClain and Thelma Bourne McClain on April 7, 1932, in Bristol, Tennessee. Patrick’s brother, Earl Milton, was born two years afterward. According to Patrick’s father, he was named after the great patriot and signer of the Declaration of Independence, Patrick Henry. Pat, as many affectionately called him, grew up in a household filled with a large extended family. Besides his parents, he was reared by his beloved grandparents, Theo, Sr. and Susie Bourne, and his uncle and aunt, Theo, Jr. and Mary Bourne. Growing up with one brother and a very strong, influential grandmother was a blessing that enriched and fulfilled his positive experiences in the home, school, and church.
Pat received his early education at Slater High School, graduating in 1950 during the era of segregation. Today, Slater High School is noted historically for grooming African American students for leadership. Pat and his brother Earl were no exceptions. Pat was admitted to Morehouse College, graduating in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. Immediately following college, Pat answered the call from “Uncle Sam” and completed a three-year obligation in the Finance and Accounting Section with the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, from which he was honorably discharged. He immediately enrolled at Howard University, obtaining a Master of Science in Mathematics in 1959. Pat settled in the Washington Metropolitan area and entered the federal government at the U.S. Weather Bureau as a Mathematician/Systems Administrator and later joined an exclusive, small team at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, making history as one of the first African American ‘Systems Specialists’. After a notable and enjoyable career, Pat retired in 1998.
Pat and his wife, Dorothy, were blessed with 54 years of marital bliss in November 2023. During Pat’s first union, in 1959, with Gene Elizabeth Gary, two children were born: Lynne Suzonne and Gina Elizabeth. On November 1, 1969, Pat married Dorothy Chandler Davis. Their family was made complete by his adoption of her daughter, Robin Nichola, and the birth of their daughter, Kimberly Patrice. Pat was a proud and supportive father and much-loved father-in-law to Lee Walker (Robin) and Jeffrey Prather (Gina). He has seven grandchildren in whom he delighted: Devin Walker, Kristina McClain, Kiana McClain, Xavier McClain, Milalai McClain, Erika Walker, Terrance Morgan, Jr., a.k.a. TJ, and his “adopted” grandson, Jordan Thompson. Pat was loved and respected by his family as a steady, caring, fun-loving, talented, and inspiring individual with a smile everyone will remember.
Pat is a member of Celebration Church in Columbia, MD. and the Morehouse Alumni Association, Baltimore, MD chapter. An avid lover of sports, Pat played golf, tennis, and paddleball. He enjoyed family outings to the state parks and beaches, or an occasional fishing trip. He loved traveling, coffee, and jazz, had diverse interests, looked forward to lively dialogue about politics or current events, and would often work on crossword puzzles or any word puzzle to challenge the mind.
Patrick departed this life on Thursday, June 27, after a short battle w/cancer. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Dorothy Chandler; his daughters Gina McClain-Prather (Jeffrey) and Robin Walker (Lee); his eight grandchildren; and a host of dear relatives, friends, and colleagues. He is predeceased by his brother, Earl Milton McClain, and his beloved daughters, Lynne Suzonne McClain and Kimberly Patrice McClain.
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