Obituary of Jae "J.T." McLain

On August 7, 2021, Jae Thomas “J.T.” McLain, age 32, died at his home in Shoreline, Washington. He was born on December 29, 1988, in Seoul, South Korea. Jae’s full name had a special meaning for Jae and his family. In naming him, out of love and respect for his Korean heritage, his parents, Patrick D. McLain and Karen (Wilson) McLain, kept his birth name of “Jae.” They added his middle name “Thomas” to honor Jae’s life in America and his Irish American ancestors (his great- grandfather, John Thomas Wilson, was affectionately known as “J.T.” and at least three generations of his father’s Irish paternal ancestors were also named “Thomas”). His last name, “McLain,” reflected the Irish ancestry of both of his parents. From early childhood, J.T. was known for his radiant smile and beautiful dimples. His smile was infectious and lit every room he entered and touched the hearts of everyone in his presence. He loved helping others -- small children, older adults, persons with disabilities, friends, and colleagues – anyone who needed help or a supporting hand, especially his father. J.T. had a competitive spirit and a wicked sense of humor – and yet, he was tolerant and patient. He loved to play card games such as “Spoons” with his young cousins and sometimes – but not always -- he would let them win. Jae’s athletic skills were obvious whether he was playing football or racing down the mountain on his snowboard. Duke, Jae’s beloved Husky dog and companion, loved to race down the street wearing his harness with Jae behind on his skateboard holding Duke’s “reins.” J.T. loved his summer vacations at Gypsy Camp, the Wilson-McLain family’s rustic cottage on Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire. He never tired of going wake boarding behind the speedboat and kayaking in and around the lake’s coves and islands. He especially enjoyed preparing New England lobster dinners, which included holding a pre-dinner event of racing lobsters across the kitchen floor. Jae Thomas McLain was preceded in death by his grandfathers, James Thomas McLain, William H. Wilson; and his step-grandfather, Harold D. Dufek. He was also preceded in death by his grandmothers, Elizabeth Paine Wilson Dufek and Juanita McLain, both of whom loved to play games and eat ice cream with him. He is survived by his parents and his sister, Kelly Yeong McLain of Shoreline, Washington; his uncle David Wilson and his wife Susan, Carbondale, Illinois; his aunt Beverly Wilson and her husband Pat Halstead, Tumwater, WA; his uncle Larry McLain and his wife Pat, Hutchinson, Kansas; his uncle Mike McLain and his wife Sharon, Wichita, Kansas; and his aunt Merilyn McLain Harris and her husband Don, Wichita, Kansas; eight cousins; and many loving friends. The McLain family suggests memorial charitable contributions go to The Works, managed by the Shoreline PTA Council, http://www.shorelinepta.org/donate.html, or call (206) 393-4916.