Lawrence Elzie "Mac" McClellan
1918-1989
Lawrence Elzie "Mac" McClellan
Lawrence Elzie “Mac” McClellan was born on August 4, 1918 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri to James Henry McClellan and Ellise Emma Bell (Daniels) McClellan.
Shortly after Lawrence’s birth in 1919, his father moved the family to Sikeston, Missouri. He ultimately met and fell in love with Dorothea Lorene Morse, the daughter of John Elzy Sherfield Morse and Flora Ellen (Hodges) Morse. The couple were joined in marriage on March 30, 1942 in Charleston, Missouri. This union produced 5 children, 4 of which lived into adulthood.
Shortly after Lawrence’s birth in 1919, his father moved the family to Sikeston, Missouri. He ultimately met and fell in love with Dorothea Lorene Morse, the daughter of John Elzy Sherfield Morse and Flora Ellen (Hodges) Morse. The couple were joined in marriage on March 30, 1942 in Charleston, Missouri. This union produced 5 children, 4 of which lived into adulthood.
Lawrence and Dorothea's Children:
Glenda Joyce McClellan (Glaus) 1942-2010
Barbara Jean McClellan (Burton) Carolyn Joan McClellan (West, Maharaj) Lawrence "Larry" E. McClellan 1958-1974 Terry Stephen McClellan |
Lawrence provided for his family by working at the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. in Sikeston, Missouri for 18 years. In 1965 he moved his family to Houston, Texas and accepted a job at Royal Crown Bottling Co. His employment at Royal Crown transferred him and his family to Virginia for a short time. Unsatisfied with living in Virginia, he transferred back to Houston.
The company was ultimately bought by the 7-Up Bottling Co and he continued his employment there for an additional 20 years until his retirement in 1987. Lawrence spent much of his retirement on 1545 Scharpe St., in Houston, Texas doing carpentry work from his garage; crafting tables, end tables and lamps for family members. (Many families still own items created by him). He also raised pigeons and an occasional turkey at his property where he built a walk-in pigeon coop in the back yard. Lawrence had a true love for baseball and country western music stemming from childhood. He was an exceptional guitar player and baseball player in his youth, unfortunately a severe hip fracture as a young adult prevented him from progressing into the sport professionally. Sadly, this hip fracture also prevented him from entering the United States Military which devastated him as all of his 6 brothers were service men.
The union between Lawrence and Dorothea lasted 47 years until his death from a stroke. He passed away in his home on April 21, 1989. Dorothea passed away just 4 years later at St. Joseph's Hospital in Houston, Texas on March 20, 1993. The couple are buried together next to their precious son Lawrence at Forest Park (Lawndale) Cemetery.
Lawrence, aka "Mac" to his friends and “Paw Paw” to his family is deeply missed by his surviving children and grand-children.
The company was ultimately bought by the 7-Up Bottling Co and he continued his employment there for an additional 20 years until his retirement in 1987. Lawrence spent much of his retirement on 1545 Scharpe St., in Houston, Texas doing carpentry work from his garage; crafting tables, end tables and lamps for family members. (Many families still own items created by him). He also raised pigeons and an occasional turkey at his property where he built a walk-in pigeon coop in the back yard. Lawrence had a true love for baseball and country western music stemming from childhood. He was an exceptional guitar player and baseball player in his youth, unfortunately a severe hip fracture as a young adult prevented him from progressing into the sport professionally. Sadly, this hip fracture also prevented him from entering the United States Military which devastated him as all of his 6 brothers were service men.
The union between Lawrence and Dorothea lasted 47 years until his death from a stroke. He passed away in his home on April 21, 1989. Dorothea passed away just 4 years later at St. Joseph's Hospital in Houston, Texas on March 20, 1993. The couple are buried together next to their precious son Lawrence at Forest Park (Lawndale) Cemetery.
Lawrence, aka "Mac" to his friends and “Paw Paw” to his family is deeply missed by his surviving children and grand-children.
Source:
Biography written by Debbie West
Family Recollections from Carolyn McClellan and Barbara (McClellan) Burton
All Photos provided by Carolyn McClellan and Barbara (McClellan) Burton
Personal knowledge
Biography written by Debbie West
Family Recollections from Carolyn McClellan and Barbara (McClellan) Burton
All Photos provided by Carolyn McClellan and Barbara (McClellan) Burton
Personal knowledge