Three Rivers College recently established the JP McLane Memorial Athletics Scholarship with the Three Rivers Endowment Trust.
“JP McLane’s support of Three Rivers College and our athletics program spanned decades,” Three Rivers President Dr. Wesley Payne said. “We are honored that his family chose to continue his legacy of support through this endowed scholarship, which will last forever.”
The JP McLane Scholarship will provide funding for scholarships at Three Rivers and will be announced at every home basketball game. McLane was the first inductee into the “contributors” section of the inaugural Three Rivers Hall of Fame class in January 2020.
“We are incredibly grateful to the entire family for their investment in the College and our athletics program,” said Michelle Reynolds, Director of Development at Three Rivers College and Executive Director of the Endowment Trust.
McLane was inducted into the Hall of Fame by his son-in-law Allen Brooks.
“If the College needed something, JP has always been willing to help in whatever capacity,” Brooks said during the induction ceremony. “The College, the Raiders’ basketball program, and the community have been blessed to have the support of JP McLane for more than 50 years. The impact he has made will be felt for many more years to come.”
McLane, his brother, and his father started McLane Farms in 1955, which became the McLane Cattle Company. This venture led to offices in Mississippi and Alabama, and Auction Barns in Farmington and Fredericktown. He was President and founder of McLane Transport, Inc. in Poplar Bluff, which transported produce and commodities from Missouri to the west coast. In 2017, McLane was named Outstanding Citizen of the Year by the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce.
McLane, who died in May 2020, is survived by his wife, Mary, and three children; Becky (Allen) Brooks, James McLane, and Marla McLane, all of Poplar Bluff.
For information on how to donate to Three Rivers College, visit trcc.edu/give, or contact Three Rivers Director of Development Michelle Reynolds at michellereynolds@trcc.edu or at 573-840-9077.
