Roy "Rl" Lee McClellan
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Roy Lee McClellan was born in Amarillo, TX on June 17, 1921, to Randolph Lee and Vera Beatrice Wilson McClellan. He peacefully departed this life on Friday, March 11, 2022, at the age of 100.
Funeral services will be held at First United Methodist Church, Spearman TX on Friday March 18, 2022, 2:00 pm, graveside to follow at Hansford Cemetery. Viewing will be on Thursday, March 17, 2022 9:00a.m. until 9:00p.m. Visitation will be on Thursday, March 17, 6:00p.m. until 8:00p.m. at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home in Spearman. Arrangements are under the direction of Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home in Spearman.
Roy, also known as R.L, was reared in Hansford County, Texas, and a resident of Spearman his entire life. Roy graduated from Spearman High school in 1938 and attended Texas Tech University until he enlisted in the US Navy in July 1942 and trained as a radar and radio communications specialist. Radioman 3d Class McClellan served in the Pacific Theater assigned to the ARGUS 11 land-based radar spotter and flight director unit. He saw action on Guadalcanal, Rendova and New Georgia in the Solomans campaign and was then chosen to attend the US Naval Midshipman School at Columbia University in New York City. RL graduated and was commissioned on August 10, 1944. On December 14, 1944, Ensign McClellan was assigned as the communications officer aboard a newly built Landing Craft Support ship, the USS LCS (L) (3) 124. LCS 124 provided close-in fire support for troop landings in several island battles in the western Pacific and performed radar picket duty during the battle of Okinawa. Roy's ship also served in the waters of the Philippines and performed occupation duty in Japan after the Japanese surrender.
After the war, Roy returned to Spearman to farm, manage the RL McClellan & Sons farm implement dealership selling, J.I. Case and Allis Chalmers tractors, farm implements and water well pumps. RL also worked alongside his father, Randolph "Lee" McClellan, sister Vera Beth Hicks, and younger brother, Wilson McClellan, to run the McClellan Grain Company in Spearman. Roy returned to Texas Tech to complete his college education graduating in 1946. RL married the love of his life, Barbara Jean Daily on December 28, 1947. After managing the farm implement dealership for just over 30 years RL was appointed to fill a vacancy as County Judge of Hansford County on May 22, 1978 and was subsequently re-elected for several terms serving as County Judge for 10 years until he retired.
RL was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where he served on the church board of stewards, administrative board, and he and Barbara also sang as members of the chancel choir. He was also a member of the Hansford Masonic Lodge, served as Hansford County Red Cross Chairman, and served two terms as an elected member of the Spearman ISD School Board. RL and his beloved Barbara were lifelong companions who enjoyed 46 years of marriage traveling together, raising their family, working in the business community, and performing community service until Barbara's passing in 1996.
Roy Lee and Barbara Jean McClellan are survived by four children: Dr. David McClellan and wife Ginger of Erie CO; Dr. Bill McClellan and wife Sherri of Port Lavaca TX; Becky Madison and husband James of Mustang OK; and Jeanie Holston and husband Steve of Waco TX, as well as 13 grandchildren, their spouses and 24 great grandchildren.
The family requests that memorials be sent to: First United Methodist Church, Spearman
The Landing Craft Support Museum https://www.usslcs102.org/
The O'Loughlin Center, Spearman