McClelland family patriarch, Howard Thomas McClelland of San Pedro, California, died Sunday, April 27, 2003. He was 91. He fell the week before and broke an arm, but in the end, his death was quick and painless. He led a full life.

Those who knew him can easily recall his constant smile and persistent positive attitude. In fact, Howard was considered by many to be an eternal optimist. In an E-mail to family, J. Thomas McClelland wrote, “Much of Howard’s longevity was due to attitude, I am sure. He had a positive attitude and a great sense of humor. He did things in moderation.”

One thing Howard didn’t do in moderation was run his laundry business, Thistle Laundry that catered to the wealthy and famous of Los Angeles. As he picked up bundles of laundry, he would shove them against the windows to make the vehicle look full. He tied some bundles on the front fenders. He made himself look successful and busy, and he became both. He did not get rich with the laundry, but he made a good living at a time no one was making much. Later he invested in second mortgages, buying them from banks. He did well, making more money investing than he did in the laundry business.

Howard spent his money frugally and became a dedicated philanthropist. He was a Kiwanis president with 25 years perfect attendance.

Howard is survived by his wife of 65 years, Lorraine McClelland, daughter Sue Waters of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, and son Scott McClelland of Texas. Howard and Lorraine have many grandchildren and even a few great grandchildren.

Family Remembers
Uncle Howard was like a second father to me. Some times, he seemed more like number 1. We had that special bonding, mostly based on Howard’s sincere caring about people, helping me out so many times. I just remembered he bought me a suit for high school graduation. His advice was always on target. He said not to get double breasted. I did anyway. I was out of style the day after I graduated.

I still keep my hands out of my pockets most of the time, again because of the lessons from my Uncle. He taught me to always look as though I were going somewhere important, to step lively, keep the chin up, smile. He made me an optimist.

When I was installed as (Kiwanis) president in 1996, a Kiwanis bell from Uncle Howard came to me the day of my installation. He was a Kiwanis president with 25 years perfect attendance. It was the perfect gift from a near-perfect man.

Much of my thinking this week has been about my favorite uncle. I was asked to be acting president at Kiwanis Thursday, so I took advantage of the situation to offer the opening prayer. I took Uncle Howard’s Kiwanis bell with me. It was a short message, but was well received by all. I choked halfway through it, but managed to finish. He was a second father to me, helped me through college, showed me how to handle myself, taught me so many things. Howard’s longevity was due to attitude, I am sure. He had a positive attitude and a great sense of humor. He did things in moderation. He knew how to ring my bell.

I rang Uncle Howard’s bell LOUDLY and PROUDLY.
–J. Thomas McClelland

I spent time with him only a few times over the years starting in 1991 at my first McClelland family reunion in Missouri. But immediately I was struck with what a remarkable man he was. Over the first few days of the reunion, we’d run into each other and, having met for the first time a day or two earlier amidst close to 50 other family members, he couldn’t remember my name. Yet every time I saw him he’d stop and chat with me. I caught him making a mental note of my name after someone else said it. He called me by my name ever since. In short, he cared about people no-matter how insignificant. It was one of many life lessons I learned from my great uncle Howard in the short time I knew him.
–Steve McClelland

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