Leroy McClard

Leroy D. McClard, 88, of Nashville, Tenn., passed away Wednesday, April 16, 2014.

Born in Cape Girardeau on March 18, 1926, he attended Southeast Missouri State University and graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Okla., with a bachelor of music degree. He received a master of church music degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and served as minister of music at East Henderson Baptist Church in Cleburne, Texas, from 1948 to 1950; Immanuel Baptist Church in Shawnee from 1950 to 1952; and Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock, Ark., from 1952 to 1955.

He served two states as state music director, Arkansas Baptist State Convention from 1955 to 1963 and Illinois Baptist State Association from 1964 to 1966. His contribution to the Church Music Department of Baptist Sunday School Board (LifeWay) in Nashville was as adult music consultant from 1963 to 1964, research and program design consultant from 1966 to 1971 and supervisor of the youth/adult/general materials section from 1971 to 1991. In the latter position, he was responsible for the design and development of music products for church literature, convention press and broadman press and was the chief designer of the Church Music Program Base Design which is the foundational document for the Southern Baptist Church Music program.

He was a regular contributor to music periodicals and denominational publications. He also wrote and arranged music for churches and individuals, including the well-known hymn "Jesus is Lord of All," music and text, in 1966. He retired in March 1991 having assisted in the design and production of Baptist Hymnal (1956), Baptist Hymnal (1975) and The Baptist Hymnal (1991).

He was most proud of his family and friends, whom he loved and worked with through the 88 years of his ministry, notably his devoted friend and co-worker, John Gardner.

He is survived by daughters, Cynthia (David) Willard and Julie Miller; grandchildren, Tara (Mark) Jones, Jeremy (Jennifer) Miller, Mark (Katy) Willard and Matt (Libby) Willard; great-grandchildren, Scarlet, Lily, Luke and Eli Jones, Brooks Miller, Rebekah, John Mark, Anna and David Willard and Jackson Willard; and sister, Rosemary Davis.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Christine McClard; son-in-law, Wesley Miller; and brothers, Leo and Donald McClard.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday at Crievewood Baptist Church sanctuary, 480 Hogan Road in Nashville, with funeral services following at 4 p.m., conducted by Dr. Jim Fitch.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to the Crievewood Baptist Church Hymnal Fund, 480 Hogan Road, Nashville, TN 37220.

Woodbine Funeral Home Inc., Hickory Chapel, in Nashville is in charge of arrangements.