Gary E. McClellan

Gary E. McClellan, 56, of the Bloomingdale community, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 27, 2010 after bravely fighting cancer with faith, grace and dignity.

Gary was a 1971 graduate of Gate City High School and tried his hand at various careers before finding his true calling as a barber at Frank's Barber Shop in Bloomingdale.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Garland and Madeline McClellan; brother and nephew, Kenneth and Quinten McClellan, paternal grandparents Hugh and Nanny McClellan and maternal grandparents, Walter and Ruby Horne.

Gary faithfully attended Gardner's Chapel Primitive Baptist Church and Oakwood Forest Christian Church with his loving wife, Julana Croy McClellan. Gary never met a stranger and will be truly missed by Julana, his sister Janice McClellan Kuenning, brother-in-law Rick of Stuttgart, Germany, and niece, Mary Susan, his sister, Pamela McClellan Burke, brother-in-law, Jeff, and nieces Allison and Jessica of Gate City, VA, brother and sister-in-law, Howard and Brenda Croy of Blountville, TN, special cousin Mike Carrico, Gate City, VA, close friends Hershel and Lisa Ferrell, and many brothers and sisters in Christ.

Gary enjoyed Christian fellowship, playing with his cat, Tiger, collecting lighthouses and trips to the beach with his wife and family. He was proud of his sisters and nieces, making them feel special at every opportunity, and would lend a helping hand to anyone in need.

Gary loved children and was called to work with the youth in the churches that he attended. He was also especially fond of his nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews by marriage.

Please join his family to receive friends and celebrate his life from 6 to 8 at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport on Monday, May 31. Friends are also welcome at the home of Howard and Brenda Croy at 129 Sugarcane Lane, Blountville, TN.

Services will follow Monday at 8:00 p.m. at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport with Senior Minister Marlin Jaynes officiating.

Graveside services will be Tuesday, June 1 at 11:00 a.m. with at Holston View Cemetery, Weber City VA. Music will be provided by Gardner's Chapel prayer meeting group. Family and friends will gather at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport at 10:00 a.m. to go in procession to the cemetery.

Mike Carrico, David Jones, Ronnie Peters, Douglas McClain, Vernon Johnson and Dane McClellan will serve as pallbearers.

Honorary pallbearers will be Terry Harkleroad, Fred Carico, Frank Mullins, and Hershel Ferrell.

Special thanks to Susan Ayers at Wellmont Hospice for her care and comfort.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes to assist the family with funeral expenses.