Tommy Jack McClellan Obituary

Tommy Jack "Tom" McClellan, 85, rejoined our Lord God and all our loved ones who had passed before him May 25th in the care of the wonderful people from Edward Hines VA Hospital, Illinois. Tom was a devoted son, cousin, father, grandfather, veteran and man of faith. He was immensely proud of his military service in the United States Air Force and loved flying and his children and grandchildren above all else. He was known to be prideful of his heritage and beginnings as a Texan with a love for helping people, telling incredible stories and jokes, taking care of wild animals, loving his many dogs and sharing his passions for travel, photography and home cooking as a father.

Tom was born October 6th, 1939, in Denton, TX son to JT McClellan and Odessa Snow McClellan and brother to Paul Eugene Horton. Tom graduated from North Texas Laboratory School 1955 and Denton High School 1958 an avid and dedicated student and photographer with his shots used in the Lions Roar and Broncos yearbooks. In addition to photography Tom from an early age showed a real interest in planes and flight and would pursue both into adulthood. Tom's older brother Paul Eugene and wife Barbara Brewer would have 5 children, Gary, Paul, Barry, Sheryl and Denise. Tom would go on to attend University of North Texas graduating in 1962 with his bachelor's in business administration.

Upon graduation from University of North Texas Tom joined the ROTC and then United States Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant. He spent from 1962 to 1969 as proud member of the Air Force meeting several of his closest lifelong friends including Phil Daisher during pilot training school PTS at Vance AFB. Tom achieved the rank of Captain by the time he was honorably discharged in 1969. Tom was a decorated USAF pilot awarded commendations or badges including the National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air and Space Longevity Service Award, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR), Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, among others. He was 902nd Air Refueling Squadron 70th Bombardment Wing and flew the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, an aircraft providing support as a critical aerial tanker during The Vietnam War.

Post 1969, Tom a furloughed pilot with United Airlines, met his wife of 17 years in 1978, Patricia Ann Bell while he was pursuing one of his loves in life, photography, living in Washington DC. He met Patty through his close friend Howard Bomstein, who later became the godfather of his children. During this time Tom was a commercial photographer. Tom and Patty lived together in Springfield VA with their two children, Erin Elisabeth and Sean Michael prior to relocating to the Chicago suburbs after Tom was rehired by United Airlines as Co-pilot. Their family added two additional boys, Ryan Patrick and Kevan Morgan while living in La Grange, IL. Tom continued to excel as a pilot with United Airlines achieving the status of Captain and later Standards Captain, he was air rated on aircrafts DC-10, 727, A320, 777, 747-400. Tom was immensely proud of his four children who, if you asked Tom, were his greatest achievement. Tom was a member of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church of La Grange where he spent time giving back to his community as a faithful servant.

Tom's family and joy continued to grow with the marriages of his children and births of his six grandchildren. Tom, father of and survived by daughter Erin (DaHuang) McClellan-Zhoushi; son Sean (Katie) McClellan; son Ryan (Morgan) McClellan; son Kevan McClellan. Grandchildren Tommy Jack II, Evelyn, Oona, Cosima, Alexander, Darby. Horton nephews and nieces Gary, Paul, Sheryl, Denise. McClellan cousin Margaret. Medlin cousin Cynthia. Snow cousins Blake Kent, Glenda, Charlotte, Ronnie, Dina, Robin, Jenette, Linda, Carlos Jr, Beatrice, Bill, Jan, Livian Ray, Odelle, Lyle, Victor, Donna, Dickie, Eddie, Maryann, Nova Jan, Nancy, Ricky, Willie.

Tom is joined in heaven by father JT McClellan; mother Odessa Snow McClellan; brother Paul Eugene Horton; grandfather John T McClellan; grandmother Mary Belle "Matie" Gober McClellan; grandfather William T Snow; grandmother Myrtle "big momma" Pope Snow; uncle William Gober (Ruby) McClellan; aunt Matie Belle (John) McClellan Medlin; Snow uncles Byron, Carlos, Faburn "Bow", Blake, Ralph, William; Snow aunts Eva, Sissy, Mary, Clytie, Rachel, Myrtle; cousin Michael Edward McClellan; cousin Mary Ann McClellan; sister-in-law Barbara Brewer Horton; nephew Paul Horton;

Tommy Jack "Tom" McClellan funeral service will be held June 25th, 2025, at 11am at Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home 740 Edmonds Lane, Lewisville, TX. with Dr. Gary S. Horton officiating. The burial with color guard salute military funeral honors for Tom will follow at Roselawn Memorial 3801 Roselawn Drive Denton, TX.