Charles Vernon Clelland

Born on July 26, 1956, in Denver, Colorado, Charlie was the oldest son of Evelyn Ruth Clelland (Burnett) and Robert Eugene Clelland. Following his parents' divorce, Charlie moved with his mother and his four siblings from Colorado to Royal Oak, Michigan at the age of eight, helped by their maternal uncle who lived there. He attended Royal Oak Kimball High School and later moved to California for a short-lived carpentry career. Thereafter, Uncle David Shepherd introduced him to the trucking world. Charlie started out with Mayflower and spent his career as a long-haul driver working for different companies. A true “walking Atlas,” he knew every interstate and the best stops for gas, food, and rest. He loved fishing and was happiest on a boat or deep-sea fishing. Charlie got out of the trucking business when he began losing his eyesight.

Charlie was a true patriot who loved his country and stayed informed through conservative cable TV channels. He held strong Republican values.

Charlie was preceded in death by his only daughter, Lenea Rae Clelland, who passed away at age 18 from cystic fibrosis. He is survived by his devoted life partner, Jeanne Storrs, and her family: daughter Chanelle Storrs McNeff and her husband Jeffrey McNeff, son Eric Storrs, granddaughters Victoria Vanderhoorn and Mylah Vanderhoorn, and step-grandson Dustin McNeff. He loved gambling at the casinos and laughing at the playful antics of his beloved dogs, Juice and Gabby.

He is also survived by his siblings, listed from oldest to youngest: Deborah Clelland, Philip Clelland, Kathleen Chapman (Clelland), and Stephen Clelland.

Charlie will be laid to rest with his mother, Evelyn, and his daughter, Lenea, in a private family ceremony.