James Dewey McClellan

92. Born in Riverside, California on March 16, 1933 to Raymond and E. Ardelle McClellan, he was affectionally

called Jimmy by his mother.

Jim was known as a hard worker, his kindness to others and his commitment to family. After graduating

college with a degree in music, Jim married the love of his life, Shirley Reich, on August 12, 1955. Together

they raised four children. In their early years, they spent time as a family hiking the mountains behind their

home in Palm Desert and camping along the coast of California. After Jim’s promotion to Fire Captain in 1974,

he moved his family to Apple Valley where, on his days off, he volunteered as a firefighter for the Apple Valley

Fire Department.

After Shirley passed away in 2007, he found love for a 2nd time with Sharon Bandfield. Marrying on July 17,

2010, Jim and Sharon shared ten wonderful years together traveling, woodworking, making fudge, and

spending time with family.

Jim lived a life of service. He served two years in the US Army playing Oboe in the Army band and went on to

serve his community for 27 years, initially as a Fire Engineer and later as a Fire Captain, for the State of

California. After retiring, Jim spent several years driving fire fighter crews to brush fires throughout the State

of California. Jim had two loves (other than his wives and family). The first was fudge. He enjoyed

experimenting and creating many new recipes. He shared his fudge with friends and family and also donated it

to church functions. He won multiple ribbons at the San Bernardino County Fair for his fudge. His 2nd love was

wood working. His father was a carpenter and instilled in Jim a love for wood working. He was always busy

making fire department signs and address signs. He served in his church singing in the choir, barbershop

quartets, and working security during Vacation Bible School. As he aged, his greatest desire was to share his

love of Jesus and God’s message of forgiveness and redemption through Christ to anyone who listened. Jim

never met a stranger. He could strike up a conversation with someone he didn’t know and before long had a

friend. He loved his children and grandchildren and was proud of them. He will be greatly missed but is now

resting in the arms of his Savior.

Jim is preceded in death by both of his parents, Shirley McClellan (d. 2007) {first wife and mother of his

children}, Sharon McClellan (d. 2020) {2nd wife}, Tim McClellan (son), Tom McClellan (brother), Rae Davies

(sister) and Lloyd Davies (brother-in-law). Jim is survived by three of his children and their spouses: Cheryl

Dare (Scott), Mark McClellan (Kim), and Dave McClellan (Michelle). He leaves behind ten grandchildren, ten

great grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren, his sister-in-law, Norma McClellan, and numerous

nieces and nephews.

Jim’s Celebration of Life Service will be held on March 21, 2026 at 1:30 pm at Calvary Chapel Apple Valley. In

lieu of flowers, donations can be given in Jim’s name to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.