Allen McClure graduated from New Orleans’ Jesuit High School in 1953 and then attended Loyola University of New Orleans. He eventually earned a dental degree from Loyola, after which he entered the US Navy, where he served as a dental officer. McClure represented the Southern Yacht Club in New Orleans. He sailed in the Dragon Class at the 1960 Olympics, along with Gene Walet, III and Claude Kohler. McClure later had his own dental practice in New Orleans for over 40 years, retiring in 2004 due to a chronic illness.