Dear Beth,  

What a sweet and good father you had.  Ben--farewell dear and loyal friend; "may flights of angels...."

Brown and Swallow

Dear Beth, 

         What a wonderful man your father was!  It was an honor--and so much fun--for me to work for him at the college for eleven years and then be his friend for an additional twenty-plus years.  
          Ben McClary had so many special, unique qualities.  He was that rarest of academicians, a professor who not only was very cultured and intellectual (as demonstrated by his international scholarly reputation for his research and voluminous publications on Washington Irving, Samuel Rogers, the antebellum Tennessee humorist George Washington Harris, and many other authors) but who also had an abundance of good Southern common sense as well as a delightful sense of humor.  In addition he was a superb, unmatched raconteur.   More importantly, he was one of the kindest and most generous people I have ever known.  He always somehow found a way to lift our spirits in some of our darkest times, especially after the birth of our totally handicapped son thirty years ago, and he was incredibly supportive following Pat's heart surgery several years ago, writing us a cheerful e-mail EVERY DAY for several months afterwards.  
        Your father's humorous approach to his own or others' (usually my) perceived mini or major crises or common stressful situations was refreshing and comforting:  After a brief discussion of the problems, he'd exclaim in mock alarm “Poor world!” and follow that with his stock sage reminder and advice…”Remember, ALL THINGS ARE RELATIVE.”  I couldn't help but smile or even laugh, which was, of course, as he knew, a good start in diffusing the stress.  
        Ben Harris McClary was a TRUE friend to us.  We will miss him more than words can express--but we are comforted by our wonderful indelible memories of him.  God bless him and you and your family, now and in the future.
                 
                   Love,
                   Mark and Pat

Dear Beth and family,

I am so sorry for your loss. Ben was a marvelous scholar, teacher, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He made wonderful contributions to the lives of many people and was always a joy to be around! May you find peace and comfort in the outpouring of the love and support surrounding you.

With deepest sympathy,

Beth Hitch Ryburn

Dearest Beth,

I can't tell you how sorry I was to hear about your daddy.  What wonderful memories I have of us (You, me, Todd and Marc) playing together at your house and all the amazing laughter!! I always felt welcomed and loved there.  He was such a generous spirit and loved you and Marc so very much.  How blessed you are to have so many special memories.  I'm sending much love your way~~ Gretchen (Cochran,Georgia)

We are so sorry about the death of this wonderful man and teacher. Wallace and  Sharon Williams Trinity Cochran

I was one of Dr McClary's biggest fans.  I was a non-traditioanl student at Middle Georgia College , having my very last class , Lit 202 taught by Dr McClary. I sold cars for several years after graduating from MGC and he always sought me out to buy his cars. I last communicated with him a year are two ago and was saddened to hear that he was legally blind. Great man.Paul Gilbert   Cochran, GA

OBITUARY

Ben Harris Mc Clary

July 8, 1931 – May 18, 2013

Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist - East Chapel

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services