Reid McClelland

Reid McClelland passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, December 4, 2016 after a short battle with cancer. Reid had just celebrated his 90th Birthday with sixty of his closest family members and friends who paid tribute to this remarkable husband, father, grandfather, son, uncle, colleague and friend. Reid was born in his family farmhouse in Grand Blanc, Michigan on October 13, 1926. He was the son of Charles and Iva (Reid) McClelland. He graduated from Grand Blanc High School when he was 16 and entered the Navy as soon as he was eligible. Upon return from his duty in the Philippines, he enrolled in Michigan State College and graduated with a degree in Engineering and was a lifelong Spartan fan. He met his bride Betty Donaldson on blind date and they were married on March 10, 1951 and began a love affair that lasted over fifty years. Reid worked for 32 years at Consumers Energy in Jackson and Grand Rapids. Reid and Betty’s most special friendships were formed through Consumers, especially those who belonged to the Pinochle Club. These friendships extended through the children, who considered all the parents’ aunts and uncles. Reid had many passions: his family, his friends, his grandchildren, baseball, and golf. Betty and Reid would travel to Des Moines and Traverse City to support their grandchildren in every endeavor. Betty would later rue the day she taught Reid to play golf, when he would play three or four days a week, and played right up to when he was 88. Reid’s passion for baseball came at a young age, which he shared with his children, and instilled such a spirit that his son Tim went on to be one of Major League Baseball’s finest umpires. He was a season ticket holder for the West Michigan Whitecaps from their inaugural year in 1993 right up to this year and would often visit the umpires in their locker room before the game. A sign was put on the umpires’ locker room at Fifth Third Ball Park that said “No Admittance – Except for Reid McClelland.” He is preceded in death by his parents Charles and Iva (Reid) McClelland, his brother Erwin (Slim) McClelland, nephew Terry McClelland and the love of his life, his “Bride” Betty McClelland. Reid is survived by his children and grandchildren, Tim and Sandy McClelland and their children, Cole, Molly and Maggie, Tina and Tony Audia and their sons and wives, Joseph and Allison and John and Mandy, and Michael and Colleen McClelland and their children Caitlin, Kevin, and Justin, nephews Dale and Mary McClelland and their children Teresa, Brian, and Mark, Kim and Judy McClelland and their children Jamie, Kelly, and Drew, great nephew Scott McClelland and great niece Dawn (McClelland) Cole and niece Dee (Donaldson) and Garth Saager. Visitation will be Thursday, December 8th from 4-7 PM at the Metcalf and Jonkhoff Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held 11 AM Friday, December 9th at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 3334 Breton Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512 with visitation one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to In the Image, 1823 Division Ave. S., Grand Rapids, MI 49507 and the Whitecaps Community Foundation, PO Box 428, Comstock Park, MI 49321.

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