Jerry Roland Mcclellan

Jerry Roland McClellan, 90, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, August 16, 2020. Born on July 10, 1930 in Ashland, KY, Jerry was one of six children born to Vena Mae Rye and Nelson McClellan. Jerry was a hard-working man, who always amazed people even after he retired. He spent the majority of his life in Cleveland, TN and Dalton, GA. In recent years, he attended First Baptist Church in Cleveland where he was a member. He worked many different jobs in his early years including as a Western Union deliveryman in Washington, D.C and choir director at his church. Once he got into the printing business, he found his calling. He worked for decades in the printing business before “retiring”. After he “retired”, he kept himself busy working other jobs and meeting people in all walks of life. When he was in his 70’s-80’s, he worked like a man half his age and amazed everyone around him.

Even though Jerry was a hard-working man, he was best known for being a beloved husband, loving father, and an amazing Papa to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jerry loved his children, Sharon, Tina, Mike, Randy, and David very much and was heartbroken when he lost Mike and then Sharon many years later. He was very proud of his children and went above and beyond to be the best father to all of them.

On February 17, 1990, Jerry married the love of his life, Wanda. They celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary earlier this year. In those 30 years, they always cherished their time together. After Jerry retired, they spent time traveling overseas, riding around the country in their RV, and going around the U.S. visiting friends and family. During this time, Jerry and Wanda went on his most memorable trip to Ireland as he was proud of his Irish heritage.

An amazing Papa will be how most of us will remember him. He loved to spend time with his grandchildren Robin, Zack, Jennifer, Heather, Marshall, Alberto, Ethan and Evan as well as all his many great-grandchildren. Two of those most memorable times were his two baseball road trips with Robin and Zack in his 80s. No one could believe how he was able to travel cross country at his age. Those were examples of how amazing he was to be as healthy and fit as he was in his later years.

Jerry was an avid sports fan. He loved (and bled) UT Vols orange (football), University of Kentucky Wildcat blue (basketball), and Atlanta Braves red (baseball). He loved to play golf with his friends, and once again amazed everyone around him with his ability to navigate the golf courses in his 70s-80s. He did not allow his battles with cancer to stop him from playing. He faced every obstacle with determination, stubbornness, and strength as well as optimism despite any setbacks. He always had a cheerful attitude and a kind word for everyone he met. He will be greatly missed because he was one of a kind.

He was preceded in death by his beloved mother Vena Mae Rye, sisters Elinore McDonald and Mary Lou Cox, brother Carl McClellan, step-son Mike Goodwin, and his cherished daughter Sharon McClellan Jaanini.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Wanda McClellan of Dalton, GA; brother, Larry (Nancy) McClellan of Fort Wayne, IN; sister, Georgia (Jody) Harris of Cleveland, TN; daughter, Tina Park of Cleveland, TN; bonus sons, Randy (Jessica) Searles of Atlanta, GA and David (Amy) Searles of Philadelphia, PA; grandsons, Robin (Lila) Jaanini of Chattanooga, TN, Zack (Jessica) Jaanini of Rossville, GA, and Marshall, Alberto, Ethan and Evan Searles; granddaughters, Jennifer (Joe) Heaton of Ooltewah, TN and Heather (Nathan) Park Billings of Harrison, TN; 13 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 2:00PM until 4:00PM on Thursday, August 20, 2020 in the Chapel of Companion Funeral Home located at 2415 Georgetown Road NW in Cleveland, TN. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will begin at 4:00PM.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Dr. Hosam Saad-Naguib with NW GA Hematology and Oncology at 1504 N Thornton Avenue Suite 102 in Dalton, GA 30720 or to First Baptist Church of Cleveland in Jerry’s name.