EuGene “Gene” Euell McLain of Plainview, Baptist deacon and former trustee of Wayland Baptist University, died Dec. 25, 2024. He was 89. He was born July 25, 1935, in Fox, Okla., to Woodie Albert and Blanche Shrader McLain. While growing up, his family moved between Oklahoma, Texas and California. He made his profession of faith in Jesus Christ during a tent revival in Bakersfield, Calif., and was baptized in a nearby irrigation canal. He graduated from Chillicothe (Texas) High School in 1956. He and classmate LaNeta Morris married April 19, 1957. After a brief time in Dalhart working at a Ford dealership, the couple moved to Plainview in 1962 to join LaNeta’s brother Ronald in the cottonseed delinting business. The McLains eventually owned Plainview Acid Delinting, where he was president of the business until they retired and closed the operation in 2007. They continued to warehouse the seed for farmers for another decade. The McLains were members of College Heights Baptist Church in Plainview, where he was the most longstanding member of record and a deacon. For decades, he also was the church treasurer, served on numerous committees and taught Sunday school. He served four terms as a trustee of Wayland Baptist University from 1981 to 1989, including a term as secretary of the board. “Gene McLain was a man of exceptional faith, integrity and humility,” said Wayland President Donna Hedgepath. “He brought a quiet strength to the board of trustees and an abiding dedication to advancing Wayland’s mission of Christian higher education. His impact is woven into the fabric of this institution, and his legacy of service will continue to inspire us all.” He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, LaNeta Morris McLain; and brothers Caril Andrew, Larry Earl and Waylan Alvin McLain. He is survived by son Jeffery; son Kevin and his wife Lana; daughter LaGena Horak and her husband Paul; five granddaughters; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter. Memorial gifts may be made to the Gene and LaNeta McLain Scholarship at Wayland Baptist University. Contributions can be sent to 1900 W. 7th Street, CMB 1295, Plainview, TX 79072, or online at give.wbu.edu.
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