Wendell Gene “Mac” McClurg Sr., 90, of Camp Run Road, Morgantown, left this world on Thursday, May 21, 2020, at the J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital surrounded by the love of his family. Wendell was born on March 26, 1930, the son of the late Ora J. McClurg, of Erie, Pa., and the late Letha Louise (Ayersman) McClurg, of Howesville.
In addition to his mother and father, Mac was preceded in death by his brothers, Les and Jim McClurg; his sisters, Betty Morgan and Bernice Wright; a great-grandson, Brennan Rose; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
He is survived by his wife, Betty L. (Taylor) McClurg; children, Michael McClurg, of Morgantown, Monica (McClurg) Taylor and spouse, of Wadestown, Barry McClurg, of Morgantown, Penny (McClurg) Luzader, of Clarksburg, Corinne (McClurg) Seese and spouse, of Morgantown, Shawn McClurg, of Morgantown; grandchildren, Nicole Rose, Denzil Luzader III and spouse, Jessica (McClurg) Rogers and spouse, Amanda (McClurg) Farber and spouse, Joshua Luzader, Nathan Strickler, Barry McClurg Jr. and spouse, Kirsten McClurg, Rachel Seese, Zachary Seese, Gabriel Seese, his grandfurbabies, Abraham and Maverick and his special fur grand buddy, Orville; and great-grandchildren, Erika Rogers, Tyrus Cole, Zane Rose, Charlie Parks, Desirae Luzader, Autumn Luzader, Bryan Zeigler, Wyatt Zeigler, Kinsley Rogers, Avery Rogers, Brooke Rose and Kaila Rose.
Mac was always a go-getter and a hard worker and has held many jobs throughout his 90 years. He started working at Greer Limestone back when he was a teenager. He then joined the army in 1948 and was sent to Japan. From there, he was shipped to Korea and was a communication lineman during the Korean Conflict. He also served as military police during his time in the army. He was very proud of the time that he spent serving our country. Upon returning from the service, he moved to Michigan where he worked as a security guard. He returned to Morgantown a few years later and spent some time driving truck for his brother, Les. It was during that time that he met his soulmate and wife of nearly 62 years. They moved to Ohio and Mac worked at the Chrysler plant for several years. In 1972, Mac and his family moved back to West Virginia where he assisted in the construction of Interstate 79 (currently interstate 68). He often talked about his time on road construction and the joy of driving the huge CAT trucks. In the late ‘70s, Mac started his career in the coal mines. He worked at Humphrey 7 Local Union 1058 until his retirement in 1992. Mac did not “retire” in the normal sense of the word. He spent time volunteering with Senior Companions of West Virginia and running his own scrapping business. He lovingly referred to himself as a “Scrapologist” and continued this very strenuous job until about the age of 86.
Mac loved his life and people. He loved to make people smile and laugh … even strangers. He was notorious for telling bald gentlemen that they were having a bad hair day as he rubbed his own little bald head. He was an avid coffee drinker and would usually have his last coffee of the day right before bedtime. He would always ask when entering a business, “Where’s the coffee?!” — all the time donning his sweet little ornery grin. If you ever shook hands with him, you likely never forgot it. Even at the age of 90, he had the grip of a young man and was happy to tell you so. Mac was a hard worker, a dreamer, a worrier (for everyone and everything), a doodler (especially when talking on the phone) and a candy lover (He would always offer you candy, whether it was in his living room or in the middle of a grocery store. He always had it on hand.) He loved to be outside and mow his grass. He always kept it immaculate until his final days and was very proud of that.
Mac was a very loving and supportive husband and father. If you were lucky enough to know him, then you know how deeply he will be missed. He will be taking his final “haul” in his beloved truck as it will be taking him to his final resting place at the Forks of Cheat Cemetery.
Visitation with limitations will be held at the Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 26. Visitors will be asked to social distance from one another, wear masks and avoid contact with members of the family. Private services conducted by Pastor Rusty McClurg will be streamed on Mac’s memorial page at 1 p.m. Wednesday. Mac will be laid to rest at the Forks of Cheat Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Preston County Honor Guard.
Condolences:
www.fredjenkinsfuneralhome.com
