Howard J Mcclellan

June 22, 1931 to August 4, 2017

Howard John McClellan was born June 22, 1931 to John McClellan and Mabel Dillen McClellan in St. Paul, Minnesota. He had eight brothers and sisters. He is survived by two of his sisters, Esther Elsner and Mavis Merrell who live in Minnesota.

Howard was blessed with five wonderful wives. He and his first wife, Dolores Detlofsen, married in 1955. They had three children together and enjoyed 41 years of marriage. Dolores died in 1997. In 1998, Howard married Rebecca Arrington. Becky died in 2002. In 2003, Howard married Helen Kyle Davis. Helen died unexpectedly in 2008. In 2010, Howard married Frankie Shea. Frankie died just three months later. And then on April 18, 2011, Howard and Darlene Hoffman Cowden married. They were given six very special love-filled years together.

Howard is survived by his fifth wife, Darlene, three children and their spouses from his first marriage, Geri (Harry) Harm living in Romania, and Howard (Dorene) McClellan and David (Lisa) McClellan living in Washington state, many stepsons and stepdaughters, six grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Howard McClellan served with distinction in the United States Air Force from 1949 to 1970. He is a veteran of the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

After retiring from military service, he went back to school to learn computer programming. He worked at Pima Community College from 1974 to 1987.

Howard's last career was as missionary. He and his wife, Dolores served as Guest Helpers with Wycliffe Bible Translators for a couple of years in the jungles in Peru. Then after taking care of Dolores' father in Arizona, they volunteered their time with their daughter, Geri, and her husband, Harry Harm who were working with the Choctaw Bible Translation Committee in Philadephia, Mississippi on Bible translation.

Howard loved his Savior and was always praying for those around him. Even on his last day on earth, Howard was calling medical staff into his hospital room at Villa Campana to pray for them.

After a long illness on August 4, 2017, Howard died from pulmonary fibrosis caused by years of using caustic chemicals as an airplane mechanic while in service to his country.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Wycliffe Bible Translators or the Missions Fund at Christ Community Church.