As a young Aussie boy from down under I was fascinated with adventure, travel and life abroad, particularly in the U.SA. So as fate would have it, my family boarded the same whale watching boat as Orlan & Jeanie in the Spring of 98, in Hervey Bay Australia. I introduced myself and they openly talked  about their life and family in Texas, including their five grandchildren all of whom were of similar ages to myself. At the end of the tour Orlan gifted me with his business card and insisted that I write to them. Thence a twenty-five year friendship was born.

Over the years letter writing turned to email and eventually to social media. We stayed in touch and technology helped the friendship blossom, but it was truly cemented when I travelled to Texas in September 2005 and Orlan & Jean warmly welcomed me into their home and family for three weeks. We toured all over Texas and I was officially inducted into the McClung gang as their adopted Aussie grandson. I have so many fond memories of this trip and as I look back on more than a decade of travel, this continues to be one of the highlights and it’s a memory I will always cherish and hold close to my heart. The friendship was solidified even further when our families reunited in Houston for a week in May 2011. Together we shared many laughs and made more memories.

I know I am a lucky guy because I got to hear Orlan's detailed stories of the past, and boy could he recall these stories with great detail and vigor. Losing Jeanie in 2020 was very hard on him, as it was on all of us, so we tried to console him by continuing to check in with web-cam chats and emails when we could. Although nothing could fill the gap Jeanie left behind, we made sure he remembered and celebrated the good times we all shared. 

Orlan epitomised thoughtfulness, respect and strength, this was evident in his constant efforts in putting family and friends as his number one priority. I know being with Jeanie will bring you eternal happiness OM. RIP



When we moved next door to the McClungs, Orlan and Jeanie sent hard-working Clarke  to help us.  Cheryl and Cindy lovingly interacted with our new baby and a toddler.  Orlan offered to help with household repairs and Jeanie shared delicious food.  Several years later when they learned we were being transferred, the McClungs volunteered to keep our children while we searched for a new home in another state.  Guided by Orlan and Jeanie, the McClungs modeled  kindness in numerous ways.  They are the best neighbors we ever have had.

Jeanie and Orlan "walked their talk" which was  love.

We only managed one holiday in the US but we were shown a lovely time and were made so welcome. We will miss our telephone conversations 💕

From a very short meeting on a whale watching cruise began a friendship that lasted over 20 years.  💕

Orlan and Jeanie were much more than just cousins. Orlan would always see my family when he was in Shreveport on business for CONOCO. I remember fruit baskets he would send at Christmas when I was a child. During high school, Orlan was my taxi driver when I traveled solo to Houston for JROTC drill meets. They were a home away from home during my years at Texas A&M.  They welcomed my wife and family as if they were their own. We also drew close to Clarke, Cheryl, and Cindy and later to their spouses. When I went through paratrooper school at Ft Benning and then joined the 82nd Airborne Division, we drew even closer, and we compared notes about the Army between 1953 and 1973. Jeanie's pantry and cooking were a special treat to anyone blessed enough to put their feet under her table.  Orlan and Jeanie were surrogate parents, mentors, encouragers, and spiritual beacons. We loved them dearly. 

Orlan and Jean made early morning aqua workouts at the ConocoPhillips pool a memorable social occasion. 

https://www.conocophillips.com/spiritnow/story/orlan-and-jeanie-mcclung/

Orlan and I worked together in marketing for several years at Conoco.  He was always good for a laugh and approached his job with humor and dedication.  We went on several cruises together at Conoco's expense as he was always at the "head of the pack". 
I look forward to seeing him again in heaven as I was sure he was a born again believer.

Seeing Orlan and Jean at church on Sundays has always been such a treat and made us feel, for all these many years, that we were at home.   Some of God's best people and they're already being missed! 
  

He was an older cousin. As a little kid I always looked up to him. 
God be with you. 
   Marva Sue McClung Bingham

OBITUARY

Orlan Ray McClung

14 June, 1931 – 13 April, 2023

Waltrip Funeral Directors

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