Herbert McClelland

Jim McClelland – Winter Haven, FL
Herbert J. “Jim” McClelland passed away, April 25, 2016 in Winter Haven, Florida at the age of 87, peacefully surrounded by his loved ones.
He was the son of the late Rufus Martin and Louisa Jennings McClelland of Gate City, VA.
He graduated from Shoemaker High School and attended Emory and Henry College, where he also served as a member of the Board of Visitors. He was a World War II Veteran, having served as an official Army Photographer with tours in both Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. After the war, he served in the National Guard as both administrative assistant and First Sergeant of Co. D 116th Infantry 29th Division.
Jim married Clara Houser McClelland on March 16, 1952, and the couple recently celebrated 64 years of marriage. They had two children, Dennis Martin McClelland, Sr. and Herbert J. McClelland, Jr. Later the family moved to Wise, VA, where they lived for 42 years.
He had a passion for sports, having served as former president of the Wise Little League. Jim was co-founder of Sterling Mining Company and an original member of the board of the Virginia Surface Mine Reclamation Association.
He and his wife attended Trinity United Methodist Church in Wise, VA for many years where they were members of the choir and sang with the Gospel Way Quartet. He also served as president of the young adults of the Methodist Church in the Wise and Big Stone Gap districts, and was on the board of the Wesley Foundation.
Jim was the patriarch of the McClelland Clan for many years and was dearly loved by his family and friends. He was an avid historian, story teller, golfer, fisherman, and baseball enthusiast. He played catcher for the Trinity United Methodist Church’s softball team. He always reminded everyone the “the catcher runs the game.” He loved to sit with his loved ones to tell a yarn, starting with, “Let me tell you a story. This is no joke.”He had a tremendous sense of humor and loved to laugh, always showing an ability to include his wit in any conversation. Jim loved to sing and often enjoyed singing gospel hymns with others. He was a wonderful husband, father, Papaw, and friend who demonstrated his love in countless measures.
Jim is survived by his wife, Clara McClelland; two sons, Dennis and his wife, Rebecca, and Herbert and his wife, Janet; grandchildren including Sarah Pruitt and her husband, Christian, Martin McClelland and his wife, Lindsay, Brittainy (Beasie) McClelland, and Matthew McClelland and his wife and Terra Heath; great grandchildren including Mary Grace, Bennett, Lucas, and Sammy; two sisters, Helen Stallard and Evelyn Sloat; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 30, 2016 at the Gate City Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. in the Gene Falin Memorial Chapel of the funeral home with Rev. Paul Blessing officiating.
Burial will follow at the Holston View Cemetery, Weber City, VA with Military Graveside rites conducted by the American Legion Hammond Post #3 of Kingsport, TN and Post #265 of Gate City, VA assisted by members of Virginia Army National Guard Funerals Honor Guard.
Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to respectfully ask that any memorial donations be made to the Rufus M. McClelland Scholarship Fund at Emory and Henry College.
An online guest register is available for the McClelland at www.gatecityfunerals.com.
Gate City Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Herbert J.”Jim” McClelland.