Marion "Mick" Lee McClain, 74

"My best friend and husband, the nicest, kindest person I ever knew, has left this place," by June (Edwards) McClain, wife.

Marion "Mick" Lee McClain was born Oct. 6, 1940, to Wilma Violet (Sautbine) and Cecil Clair McClain in Akeley, Minn. Cecil worked on the ALCAN Highway during World War II. He happened to go fishing in Sitka, Alaska, one day with some buddies. He sent a telegram to Wilma that said "Sell the farm. Bring the boys and I will meet you in Edmonton, Canada."

Wilma brought four very energetic boys across Canada by train, and finished the rest of the trip by train and ferry to arrive in Sitka in 1946. Mick started commercial fishing when he was about 10 with two of his brothers. They fished before going to school and took their catch to a local restaurant. Their earnings went to their parents with an allowance given to the boys. Mick and his brothers once caught a 300 pound halibut with homemade gear tied to a tree on the beach. They then towed the fish into town in their 12 foot skiff. The fish was bigger than the boat.

Mick loved to fish and enjoyed hunting trips every year. When he met June (Edwards) Watson in 1981 and married her on July 24, 1983, she became his commercial and sport fishing partner. They lived a wonderful life, the kind of life most people dream about.

Mick worked in the family business with his parents, and later with two of his brothers for about 35 years. Mick managed and did the buying for Russell's Store for Men which specialized in men's work clothing and sport gear. He served in the Marine Corps from 1960-1964. A brave man, he fought chronic clinical depression all his life.

Mick was preceded in death by his parents and brother, David.

Mick loved his "kids," Heather McClain and David McClain, from two previous marriages, and his beautiful granddaughter, Ravenna Skye McClain. He is also survived by three brothers: Alan (Pam), Ron (Hamel) and Kerry (Julie), and his nieces and a nephew.

Friends and family of June and Mick are invited to a potluck Irish Wake/Celebration of Life at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, at the Ponderosa Springs Golf Course Clubhouse, 1291 N. Galena Drive, Coeur d'Alene. Bring your Mick and June stories.

Donations in Mick's memory may be made to Hospice of North Idaho or to a Clinical Depression Research charity of your choice.

"That guy with the quiet little smile and very dry sense of humor is sitting on my shoulder with that smile." June (Edwards) McClain.