Mr. Richard Franklin "Dick" McCleney

Published in the Shelby Star from 7/31/2008-8/1/2008

FOXFIRE VILLAGE - Mr. Richard "Dick" Franklin McCleney, 79, died Tuesday, July 29, 2008, at home.

Mr. McCleney was a native of Columbus County. He was a graduate of Wake Forest University and played on the baseball team. In 1949, he played in the National Championship game and the Pan-American Games in Argentina.

After graduation he played semi-pro baseball and signed with the Philadelphia Phillys. An injury ended his career and he started coaching High School sports. While at Shelby High School, his basketball and golf teams won many conference championships. After being named "Coach of the Year", one of his coaching highlights was coaching the North Carolina East-West all-star team.

After retirement, his hobbies included gardening and golf. He won many club championships in Shelby and Foxfire. He was also active in the Food Pantry Ministry at West End United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Jaunita Ray McCleney; daughters, Dickie Anne Carter and husband, Gary, of Pinehurst and Cathy Barrett and husband, Harry, of Kings Mountain; stepson, Richard Ray of Raleigh; a stepdaughter, Lynn Ferguson and husband, Todd, of Holly Springs; a brother, Hubert McCleney and his wife, Shirley, of Chadbourn; a sister, Frances Hart and husband, Bruce, of Chadbourn; three grandchildren, Taylor, Davis and Brendan Ferguson.

Visitation: The family will receive friends Thursday, July 31, at Boles Funeral Home, 35 Parker Lane, Pinehurst from 6 to 8 p.m.

Funeral and graveside service: Friday, August 1 at 11 a.m. at West End United Methodist Church and graveside service at Piney Forest Baptist Church, Chadbourn at 4 p.m.

Officiated by: Dr. Won Namkoong

Memorials: West End United Methodist Church, Food Pantry, P.O. Box 276, West End, NC 27376 or FirstHealth Hospice, 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374
Funeral home: Boles Funeral Home, Pinehurst.