James McClelland

On November 26, 2014, James passed away at home in Santa Clara, California as a result of Congestive Heart Failure. James was 90 years old. James was born in Oakland, California in Alameda County on August 16, 1924. He was the only child of Issac and Lillian McClelland. James attended public schools in Oakland, California. Oakland Technical High School is where he graduated at the age of 18 years. While growing up he started training as a gymnast on the trapeze bars. Body building became his passion in his late teens. One of James first jobs was working in a foundry where steel was produced; the hours were long and hard. He learned that the foundry was filled with asbestos and left this job. Realizing he needed a trade, he attended night school for two years in electronics. He was very proficient and enjoyed the challenge electronics gave him. He found a job through IBM in San Jose, California working as a security guard. Shortly afterward a position opened in which he could use his electronics background as a troubleshooter for electronic boards. He worked for IBM 25 years until his retirement on September 2, 1989. At the age of 19 ½ James joined the Army on April 15, 1943, at Camp Meade, California. He was a telephone switchboard operator. James served with the 4192nd Quartermaster Service Company and the 969th Field Artillery Battalion in Ireland, England, France and Germany. James was certified as a gunner. Also, he was responsible for making minor repairs to switchboards when necessary. On March 12, 1946, James was honorably discharged from the Army. During World War II, James received decorations and citations in for the Victory Medal THX WD 45, Good Conduct Medal and European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. Shortly after returning from serving his country, he married Vivian Boutte. One of his hobbies included building model airplanes to fly. In addition, he enjoyed putting together electronic kits which included a stereo receiver. He also built test equipment to repair TVs as a side business. He was also an avid CB (communication broadcast) operator for many years. James traveled extensively through Europe, Aruba, Alaska and many other countries. James loved trains, as a young boy he wanted to become a train engineer. His favorite DVD was a video of an old locomotive train that traveled through the mountains in the winter months of the United States. His other passion was watching Saturday afternoon WWW wrestling. Vivian Harriet McClelland, preceded in death, Wendell McClelland, half-brother, preceded in death, Issac McClelland, half-brother, preceded in death, Alden McClelland, half-brother, preceded in death. James Albert McClelland is survived by: Karen Ann Johnson, Debra Louise McClelland and James Albert McClelland, Jr. James had 7 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. The family would like to thank Debra McClelland for her unwavering help and support during our father's final days, and say a special thanks to Joyce Orondoff, M.D. Hospice Care and Kaiser. We will celebrate James’s life, and all that he meant to us, with Visitation on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary, 466 N. Winchester Blvd., Santa Clara, California where the Funeral Service will also be held on Thursday, December 4, 2014 at 12:00 p.m. Interment to follow in Mission City Memorial Park (Camellia Lawn, plot 4.) 420 N. Winchester Blvd., Santa Clara, California.