Richard Leo McClelland

Richard Leo McClelland, 91, formerly of Ursa, Illinois, currently residing in Scottsdale, AZ, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on September 22, 2025. He was born September 11, 1934 in Lima, Illinois, one of 11 children of the late Ray and Helen McNay McClelland. Richard married Rachel Baker on August 30, 1958 in Lima, Illinois. She preceded him death on January 14, 2023.

Richard was a 1952 graduate of Unity High School in Mendon, Illinois. He was manager of the Farm & Home Supply Store in Quincy, Illinois for over two decades. Upon moving to Arizona in 1986, Richard and Rachel owned and managed three gift shops, R & R Gift Village, in Tucson. After retiring, Rachel and Richard spent ten years traveling in their motor home in Colorado, the northwest, and Canada. They spent a summer volunteering at Yellowstone National Park and spent the school years volunteering at Arizona Christian University. He was active in church and AWANA clubs, eventually starting an AWANA club in Ursa, Illinois.

Richard loved sports: he was a good baseball player in high school and the army. He enjoyed duck hunting along the Mississippi River, then traded his shotgun in for golf clubs which he enjoyed for many years. He even helped out with the first golf team at ACU which also included his grandson, TJ. He loved supporting teams from high school to college (U of A / ACU) to any sports team his children, grandchildren or great grandchildren played on, as well as his Arizona D-backs!

Richard loved his family most of all, as he built into their lives faith, integrity, kindness, hard work, and love, not only through words, but mostly by his actions. Making family memories together included camping trips in the Jayco, fishing and going to games, many times with cousins and friends. He was true to his small town Midwest values, as he was friendly to everyone, never judging, only accepting.

Richard is survived by his children Dixie (Tim) Reed, Lorie (John) Sirola, and Kevin McClelland; grandchildren Tara (Will) Miller, T.J. Reed, Jack McClelland, Libby McClelland, Alex Sirola, and Jake Sirola; great grandchildren Liam Miller, Nico Miller, Ira Reed, and Ariana Miller; brother, Lowell (Barb) McClelland; sister, Sandra Fessler; brother-in-law, Jerry Seals and sister-in-law, Pat McClelland. Many dearly loved nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents,; wife; brothers, Don (Cleone) McClelland, Ed (Loraine) McClelland, and Lyle McClelland; sisters Thelma (Roger) Keim, Alma (Bus) Downs, Marion (Don) Tenhouse, Pat Seals, and Ruth (Leonard) Whipps; bothers-in-law, Bill Fessler and Roger Keim.

Richard’s Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 4 at 3:00 p.m. at Oasis Community Church, 15014 N. 56th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85254.

Donations may be made in Richard’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association.