James T. Mcclain

It is with an abundance of sorrow to announce the passing of Mr. James T. McClain aka “Tunk” on September 10, 2024 at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland after a long illness. He was born September 29, 1960 and raised in Newburgh, New York.

Tunk attended the Newburgh School System where he was a star athlete who played football and basketball. In June 1979, he graduated from Newburgh Free Academy (NFA) “Go Goldbacks!”  After High School, he attended the William Paterson University in Paterson, New Jersey where he continued being a star on the basketball court.

Tunk’s religious training came from the Mt. Carmel Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ under the leadership of Bishop G.W. Johnson.

Tunk worked many years in Newburgh and North Carolina until he made Baltimore, Maryland his home. He worked for the City of Baltimore until his retirement.

He loved sports, especially basketball and shing. He loved being with family and he especially loved a hot piece of fried chicken straight out of the grease! (chicken leg).

He was predeceased in death by his parents Fondo and Elizabeth (Brunson) McClain/ James Nickerson (father) and Lorraine Nickerson (mother), grandmother Lurene Brunson, sisters Willie Mae Caldwell and Nina P. Darden; brother Elbert Fondo McClain; one special nephew/brother Ernest Caldwell Jr.

He leaves to cherish his memories: wife, Patrica Ponder McClain; daughter, Janelle Ponder;  grandchildren, Janese Free, Jewel Ponder, Jeorgia Ponder and Azzure Johnson, all of Newburgh, NY; brother, Milford Nickerson (Delia) of Goldsboro, NC; sisters, Bonita Carlton, Velesa Pearsall, Teresa Monk (Avery) and Angela Dobson (Patrick) All of Kenansville, NC.; sister-in-law, Lena McClain of Elizabethtown, NC; godchildren, Jontae James and Tracy Lewis; aunts, uncles and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; special friends, David Hemmingway, Lewis Keen, Thomas Lewis and Robert Fryer.