Lyle Chester McLaren Jr.

This morning another member of The Greatest Generation slipped into history when my Dad, Lyle "Chet" McLaren quietly passed away at home surrounded by family, at the age of 98. The epitome of The American Citizen, Dad served with honor in the European Theater in WW2. He completed his degrees at The Ohio State University, from which he graduated in 1950, went to Washington DC to work for the government, married my Mom (Fran) and raised three boys. He was active in our lives in sports, Boy Scouts and school, while also serving as a church Deacon at Grace Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Va. He worked tirelessly in civic associations, the park authority and more fighting for environmental and human causes. His services and accomplishments were far too numerous to list here, but he served his community up to his 90's, and his contributions were legion. Few remain of that generation of citizen-warriors who fought to destroy evil forces in faraway lands and then came home to build a nation of enviable character and quality, but he was a paragon of patriotism, of love for his God, and of love for his family throughout his life. We are much the poorer for our loss. Rest In Peace and Honor, Dad. We love you.