James Latane McLain's Obituary
Jim McLain, born November 28, 1941, passed away on July 22, 2012 following a brief illness.James Latane McLain,Jr. a man men aspire to be, was born in San Diego, CA__on November 28, 1941 to Patricia and James McLain. Jim was the oldest of four children, joined soon after by brother Christoper, sister Mary and brother David. A native Californian, Jim was received his education in the California school system, graduating with a degree in Journalism from Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo in 1964. Jim began a lifelong, award winning career at the Ventura County Star in 1969. Jim built his career as a young newspaper reporter, gradually advancing with the newspaper from copy room editor to field reporter with his career culminating as senior reporter. During Jim’s journalism career he received many awards and accolades. Jim retired from the Ventura County Star in 2007. Jim and Linda chose to retire to their beloved San Diego to share their lives with dear friends and family.Jim met the love of his life Linda Rosch in 1971. Following a brief courtship, they were married on June 5, 1971. Jim and Linda established their new life in Ventura, California and were blessed with three children, Katie, James and Nickolaus to whom they dedicated their love, energies and great enthusiasm. Jim was blessed with the voice of grand storyteller and delighted his children and grandchildren with tales, family history and bedtime stories. Baseball was a lifelong love with a devotion to the Los Angeles Dodgers.Jim was born with poor eyesight, which through the years degenerated until Jim became blind in 1982. In no way did Jim’s adversity deter him from his thriving career. Despite the times and attitudes toward disabilities, Jim continued to excel at every journalistic task. Accolades and awards followed breaking the path for a new breed of journalists.Interviewed in 1982 by CBS New, reporter Connie Chung outlined Jim’s work ethic, creativity and determination that blindness was a condition not a life style. Asked once, why he did not carry a handicapped placard in the car, he replied that he was not handicappedFlowers may be ordered by visiting www.clairemontmortuary.com and click on the FTD link on our homepage. Use Family code 51197.
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