Warren Ernest McLellan

Warren Ernest McLellan died August 24, 2011 in Sparks Regional Medical Center, after a long illness at age 90.He was born August 13, 1921 near Charleston, AR to Ernest Herbert McLellan and Winnie Williams McLellan. He had three sisters: Paula Curnutt, Mildred McLellan and Eva Chambers and one brother, Bryan McLellan. He grew up in Fort Smith, AR attending Trusty Elementary School, Fort Smith Jr. High, Fort Smith Senior High and Fort Smith Jr. College, graduating May 1941 from Fort Smith Jr. College. Warren took a flying course at Jr. College and joined the Naval Air Reserve in October 1941. He became a pilot attached to Air Group 16 on the aircraft carrier USS Lexington from which he fought in the WWII Pacific war. He was shot down twice during those battles and always felt so blessed to have been rescued after each battle. Warren continued in the Naval Reserve, retiring with 23 Years of service and the rank of Commander. Warren married Wanda Stewart in Fort Smith November 23, 1944 and they lived with their three sons in many locations over the years.

After the war, Warren returned to college and earned a Masters Degree in Industrial Education at Pittsburgh State Teachers College in Pittsburgh, KS. He taught school at Fort Smith High School and Woodrow Wilson Jr. High, Tulsa, Ok before deciding to fly commercially with first, American Airlines, then Central Airlines and Frontier Airlines. He retired from Frontier with some 40,000 hours of flight time in 1981.

In his time away from his career, he enjoyed spending time with his beloved family and working in service to God. He was never happier than when his family was gathered around him, especially at holiday times. Warren was a long-time deacon of Southern Baptist churches and Deacon Emeritus at Fianna Hills Baptist Church, Fort Smith, AR.

Warren is survived by his wife of 67 years, Wanda; two sons, Rev. Terry Lynn McLellan and wife Kay from Carrollton, TX and James Scott McLellan and wife Cyndi from Tyler, TX; one sister, Paula Curnutt of Cherokee Village, AR; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Warren was pre-deceased by his parents; one son, Stewart Dee McLellan; and his siblings, Mildred, Eva and Bryan.

Funeral service will be Saturday, August 27, 2011 at 2:00 PM in the Fianna Hills Baptist Church with burial to follow in Liberty Cemetery in Greenwood all under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

The family will greet friends at the Church from 1-2 PM on Saturday.

Memorials may be made to the University of Arkansas Fort Smith P.O. Box 3649 Fort Smith, AR 72913

To sign an online guestbook visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com