It is with great sadness that we announce that Deacon Claude McNear, Jr. (“Junie”) of Woodbine, NJ passed away on September 20, 2024, at the age of 90. Claude, a long-time resident of Woodbine, attended Millville High School where he was a standout on the football field for the Thunderbolts. In 2003 Claude was inducted into the Millville Sports Hall of Fame along with the legendary 1953 Thunderbolt Football Team, a season in which Claude scored 15 touchdowns. Claude went on to proudly served his country in the United States Army. Claude will be remembered most of all as a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, family member, and friend.

He was predeceased by his wife of over 50 years Cornelia McNear; his three sons: Lenard McNear, Cary McNear, and Larry Horn; his mother Cleo McNear (Wilcher, Maiden Name); his father Claude McNear; his brothers: Aaron McNear (his wife Vera McNear), Edward McNear, and Benjamin McNear (his wife Lucille McNear); and his sister: Vera Burton (McNear). one brother in law: Allen Bostic Jr. .

Claude leaves behind his daughter Jocelyn McNear and her husband Cary Newkirk; his grandchildren: Corey Jeffers (his wife Emma Howes), Lenoni McNear, Karilyn McNear- Newkirk, Diante Laracuente (his wife Denise Laracuente), Jaylin Laracuente, and Marquise Greer; great-grandchildren: Shemar Peterson, Harper Jeffers, Blake Jeffers, Braxton Jeffers, Arianni Laracuente, and Melody Laracuente; sisters-in-law Ulla Bostic and Rose Brown; close relatives Jeanette Coleman, Markus Coleman, and James Coleman, and host of family and friends who will miss him dearly