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Obituary : Arthur F. McClelland |
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 Arthur McClelland died quietly at home in Fresno on Tuesday, August 25, 2009. He
was surrounded by family and close friends. Art was born Arthur Frederick
McClelland, in Quinter, Kansas to Thomas Earl and Martha Marie McClelland. He
was the oldest of eight brothers and sisters. Art lived through the great
depression, worked as a cowboy, then served in World War II with the Signal
Corps. At one point he was stationed at Camp Pinedale near Fresno. On his return
from the Pacific Theater he came back to Fresno and spent the next 30 plus years
as a mechanic. He was also an avid gardener and loved his roses, camellias and
sweet peas. He joined the American Legion Post 594, Military Order of the Cootie
Post 23, and VFW Post 884, where he always took an active part. He was a life
member of VFW Post 884 where he served in many capacities including Quarter
Master for many years as well as Post Commander. He devoted his retirement years
to others through his work with the VFW and his volunteer activities at the
Veterans Hospital. He donated over 90 pints of blood (after they began
counting), and was instrumental in starting and then chairing, for many years,
the Avenue of Flags at Fresno Memorial Gardens. He has a vast array of awards
for his volunteer service, and blood donations. Dorothy, Art's wife, most
generally known as Dottie, pre-deceased Art by six months. Arthur is survived by
his brother, Thomas McClelland (age 93) and his wife Maxine; his sister, Betty
Brewster (age 80) and her husband Gerald, of Hoxie, Kansas; his brother, Homer
("Mac" McClelland (age 78) and his wife Anne-Margrethe of Vista, California. Art
had no children of his own but was adopted by his wife's family. Also surviving
are "Dottie's" family of four children, Olan Woodrow Allen (age 66) of Fresno
and his wife Glenda, Sherry Kay Smith (age 65) of Renton, Washington and her
husband Dale, Johnny David Allen (age 62) of Shawnee, Oklahoma and his wife
Patricia, and Dennis Harvey Byrne age (58), of Grand Ronde, Oregon and his wife
Marilyn; 12 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, two great-great
grandchildren, twenty nieces and nephews, and countless friends. Visitation will
be held at Stephens & Bean Chapel on Friday, August 28, 2009, from 4:00 to
7:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be at Stephens & Bean Chapel Saturday,
August 29, 2009, at 2:30 p.m. Art has requested that all remembrances be
donations to one's own favorite charity. Some of the family made donations to
VFW Post 884 in Fresno, Ca. to help carry on his work there. Per request,
address for Art's VFW post is included: VFW Post 884, Legion of Valor Museum,
2425 Fresno St, Fresno, Ca. 93721. STEPHENS & BEAN CHAPEL 202 North Teilman
Avenue Fresno, Ca. (559)268-9292
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