Charles Simonton McCain, Jr

Charles Simonton McCain, Jr. was born to C. S. McCain and his wife Frances W. McCain on Oct. 20, 1923 and passed away at the age of 97 on Friday, January 29, 2021 at his home in Shreveport, LA, where he has lived since 1952. Born in Little Rock, AR, Charles moved to New York City with his family as a young boy. He was educated at St. Paul's School and Yale University, where he received a BA in Economics. In 1942, with WWII in full swing following Pearl Harbor, McCain voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served for two-and-a-half years. Remaining in the reserves in the interim, he was called back by the Marine Corps in January 1951 to serve in the Korean War, retiring honorably as a First Lieutenant. McCain began his career in the oil and gas business working for Texaco, learning the business from the ground up. After the conclusion of his service in the Korean War, McCain worked for the H.L. Hunt family in the Placid Oil division, at which time he moved to Shreveport. He married his first wife, Cornelia Davis, in 1949. They had three children. After some years, he and two fellow employees left Placid Oil and formed Winwell Petroleum Co. Their many successes included aiding in the discovery of the Fairway Field in the 1960s, which is still producing today. In 1962 he formed McCain Oil Company, which he operated until his death. In 1965 McCain married Billie Jean Roberts. The two were happily married for 47 years and had one child. Both of McCain's wives predeceased him, as did his brother William (Bill) and wife Lurlene McCain, and his cousin Ross McCain and brother-in-law, Hershal McConathy. He is survived by sister Grace Heidt, sister-in-law Bettye McConathy, his four children, Charles S. McCain III, H. Davis McCain (wife Lynn), Claudia V. McCain and Carlee M. Burch, as well as his granddaughter, Sara Elizabeth Burch, step-granddaughter Emily (Mike) Jones and their children, as well as his nieces and nephews. During the last years of his life, McCain was faithfully and lovingly cared for by his daughter Carlee, with whom he lived until his death. In addition, his longtime physician Dr. P.V. Blanchard, & caregiver, Maime Hayes, devoted themselves faithfully to his safety and wellbeing. McCain was dedicated to the Shreveport community and a faithful member of his church. He served on the boards of Goodwill Industries (one term as president), Demoiselle Club, Shreveport Cotillion Club, the Rescue Mission, the Symphony and Opera Boards, Boy Scouts, and R.F. Gates Evangelistic Assoc., where he served for 13 years. He organized the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast which became the Shreveport/Bossier Prayer Breakfast. He was a member of the Petroleum Club, the Shreveport Club, an original member of The Pierremont Oaks Tennis Club, and the Shreveport Country Club. He was an active member of St Paul's Episcopal Church of Shreveport for 16 years, where he served on the vestry. In 1965 he became an active member of First Baptist Church of Shreveport, serving on all committees including Finance and Radio/TV. He served on the First Baptist Church School Board for two terms, with one as president. He was a long-serving director of the Young Adults Sunday School Class and a steadfast member of his beloved Men's Prayer Breakfast, attending every week for many years. Charles's humor, love, devotion, and support will be greatly missed by his family and friends. A memorial service will be held at some future date when it is safe to gather. Arrangements were made through Rose-Neath Funeral Home. Donations in his honor may be made to the Shreveport/Bossier Rescue Mission, 901 Mc. Neil St., Shreveport, LA 71101 or First Baptist Church of Shreveport, 543 Ockley Dr., Shreveport, LA 71106.