James "Sleepy" H. McClellan

James attended school in Indianapolis, IN until he was drafted into the military on October 18, 1944. He served in the US Navy from 1944 to 1946 during World War II. After an honorable discharge with the honors of receiving an American Theater Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal, Victory Medal and Philippine Liberation Medal, he returned to Indianapolis, IN. He was reinstated with Kingan Reliable Packing Company, while attending evening classes to acquire certifications/licenses in the fields of electrician, plumbing and sewing alterations. He was employed with Kingan Reliable Packing Company for 19 years. After the closure of Kingan Reliable Packing, he became employed at Chevrolet Truck and Bus Company for the next 23 years. He remained at Chevrolet until his retirement in 1989.

In the year of 1949, he met and married the late Ellen Toler. They enjoyed 67 years of marital bliss. They traveled to many cities and enjoyed entertaining friends and family in their home. Sleepy was known near and far for his excellent barbeque abilities. In his spare time, he enjoyed helping anyone that called on him for plumbing, electrical or whatever work that needed to be fixed.

Sleepy had a large family. The siblings that preceded him in death were: Francis Johnson, John Harvey McClellan, Charles McClellan, Mose McClellan Jr., Marion Gwynn Jr and Evelyn Talley. He leaves many to cherish his memory; siblings - Laura McCord, Alice Lauderdale and Shirley Persley, all of Gallatin TN; a very special, devoted friend and companion, Ms. Wanda Render; special cousins Carol Whittley, Tony Whittley, Dian Johnson, Paula Tracy, Sylvia Barbor, Diane Miller, Thomas Carey, Kathleen Robinson; a sister-n-law Barbara Toler and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

A visitation for James will be held Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Crown Hill Funeral Home, 700 W. 38th St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46208, followed by a celebration of life at 12:00 PM.

Services can be livestreamed with the following link and will be available to view after the service ends: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c25035795807204