James Francis McClelland III

James Francis McClelland III (Jim) was born in Lake City, Florida March 23rd, 1936, the first child of James F. McClelland and Evelyn (nee Brantley) McClelland. The family lived in Sanford, Florida, and later moved to Jacksonville, Florida, settling in the Murray Hill section of that city.

Jim graduated from Robert E. Lee High School, Jacksonville in June, 1955. Soon after he joined the U.S. Navy, Reserve, serving at N.A.S. Jacksonville. Jim was a proficient electrical technician and fulfilled his Navy service working on airplane electrical and electronics systems. He and his dad actually worked on the same airplane together and were recognized by the Navy for their service as a father-son team. His honorable discharge came March 31st, 1961.

In 1956, Jim began his 35-year career with Southern Bell Telephone Company, working his way up in the company to a mid-level management position. Jim was a conscientious, dependable, and hard-working employee and the company recognized many of his milestones with certificates, pins, and awards. He worked several of the company's "cutovers" (the process of physically or digitally disconnecting an old telecom service and activating a new one). Cutovers are very complicated procedures and Jim became quite adept in setting up, implementing, and completing them. After a long and fulfilling career with Southern Bell, Jim was able to retire.

Jim met the love of his life, Judy Ray, making her his wife and life partner August 16th, 1957. Their 66+ years of marriage were full of so many adventures. They loved to travel and took every opportunity to do so in several different RV's. In 1965 they bought a lot on beautiful Crystal Lake in Keystone Heights and built a cottage there. Many summer days were spent there, boating, skiing, fishing, and enjoying family gatherings. They also enjoyed snow skiing and would fly out to Colorado to join Judy's sister Carolyn and her family as well as dear friends Sam and Carole Durden for trips into the Colorado mountains to ski. In 1975, Jim realized a life-long dream of purchasing a 1962 Cessna 172 airplane. Again, they traveled - in their own airplane!

1994 saw Judy retired and their lives became even more full as they sold the lake place and began planning their "dream house". That dream became a reality February 27th, 1996. Jim worked just as diligently for his church, Mandarin United Methodist Church, as he had in the Navy and for Southern Bell. A faithful worker, he served as a Trustee, managed the annual Christmas tree lot (a fund raiser for missions by the Methodist Men's group), took on and oversaw many maintenance projects for the church, was in a Men's Prayer group, Bible study groups, a Cancer Support group, and was active in his Sunday school class.

Jim is preceded in death by his beloved wife Judy, parents, James F. & Evelyn McClelland, and one niece, Diane Padgett Loeffert.

He is survived by: two sisters, Beverly Lindsey (Danny), Lynn McClendon (Jeff) and their children, Bruce Hall (Robin), David Hall (Cheryl), Scott Hall (Julie), Suzi Hall De la motte (Dave), Michael Hall (Sloane), Jimmy Padgett, Doug Padgett, and Jeffrey McClendon; two sisters-in-law, Carolyn Cannon (Ray), Elaine Overby (Buddy), and Carolyn's two girls, Janice Cannon-Kyte (John) and Donna Ray Cannon (and their children including Donna's daughter Rachael, his great niece), plus many friends at Mandarin United Methodist, and neighbors in the Villas at Westminster Woods.

The family would like to express our great appreciate to the staff at Westminster Woods On Julington Creek at the Health Center for their tender care of Jim while he resided there. We also give heart-felt thanks to his Hospice team, who added so very much to his life while he was under their care.

In lieu of flowers Memorial gifts may be given to:

Community Hospice & Palliative Care, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257

Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000 , Boone, N.C. 28607