Jack was born on October 28, 1929. The son of the late Harold Alexander McLellan Sr. and Marie Kane McLellan, he was raised in Atlanta and graduated from Marist School. In 1949, he completed junior college at St. Bernard College in Cullman, Ala., and went to work for Sears, Roebuck and Company while attending the University of Georgia. During that time, he left to serve in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Malabar. He returned to Atlanta after his military service to continue working for Sears and graduated from UGA in 1956.
He married the love of his life, Barbara Brady, in 1955. They raised their three girls in a home filled with love, laughter and a strong sense of faith. Jack continued working for Sears in Atlanta, Chicago and Jacksonville for 30 years before leaving to work for Eckerd Drugs in Clearwater, Fla. He retired in 1995, and after 35 years in Clearwater, he returned to Atlanta to be closer to his family. His affiliations include past-president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Atlanta, past-president of the Rotary Club in Clearwater, as well as other philanthropic and civic interests.
Jack was a devout Catholic. His faith was the cornerstone of his life — a gift that he has passed on to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Humble in spirit but immensely proud of his family, Jack was tall and handsome and loved to laugh: he will be fondly remembered for his quick wit and irreverent humor, which brought endless amusement to his family and friends. While he was a veteran, perhaps the greatest war he ever waged was against the squirrels in his backyard. He loved peanut butter and Ritz crackers, the Braves, Ormond Beach, and the song “Rainbow Connection” by Kermit the Frog — who sat perched in the corner of his dry bar for years. But most of all, he loved his family. His daughters were his world. A framed embroidery in their home read, “The greatest gift a father can give his children is to love their mother.” And that he did.
In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by an infant son, Michael Joseph; his brothers, Harold McLellan, Jr., and Robert McLellan; and a twin sister, Jean Hollis.
Survivors include his loving wife, Barbara, of 62 years; his daughters, Karan (Andy) Stockett, Chattanooga, Tenn.; Barbara “Babs” (Jeff) Herman, Roswell, Ga.; Jean (John) Brennan, Burr Ridge, Ill.; nine grandchildren: Ashley (Zach) Hurst, Keely (Stephen) Hungate, Clay Stockett, Sara Stockett, John Herman, Brady Herman, Courtney Herman, Kelly Brennan and Jack Brennan; and three great-grandchildren: Jackson and Beckham Hurst and Lassiter Hungate.
The family wishes to give special thanks to Jack’s wonderful caregivers, Dulce Abreu and Iris Petty, whose kindness and generosity have been a blessing to all of his family.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, May 26, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Roswell, with Father Daniel Fleming officiating. The burial will be immediately following at Arlington Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cancer Home (760 Pollard Blvd SW, Atlanta, GA 30315); Marist School (3790 Ashford Dunwoody Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30319); or a charity of your choice.
