Marion McClain had the distinction of twice being the General Manager of the University of Oregon Cooperative Store: first from 1916-1918 when it was organized and operated by the Associated Students of the University of Oregon and second from 1920-1948 when it was organized to be independent of University control and owned by the students, faculty and classified staff.
Because the new store was financially fragile Marion even loaned it money to help get it started. In 1923 he had a building constructed (known by many as the Wilcox Building) at the corner of 13th Avenue and Kincaid Street that leased space to the University of Oregon Cooperative Store. Needless to say, Marion McClain was very personally involved in helping get the new bookstore on its feet. In 1938 he negotiated a 20-year lease agreement with the University that allowed the space-squeezed Co-op to move on campus to the newly constructed Chapman Hall. This move allowed the Co-op to better serve the ever-growing student body.
During Marion McClain's tenure he helped steer the Co-op successfully through the challenges of fluctuating enrollments caused by two World Wars and the Great Depression. Marion was known for his business acumen. He was a graduate of the University of Oregon with a degree in Business Administration.
