Richard Mcclanahan

Richard "Mac" Leon McClanahan died on April 15, 2016 after a long illness. Born in Denver in 1933 to L.Curtis McClanahan and Elsie McClanahan, he graduated from West High School in 1951 and enlisted in the Navy. He proudly served 21 years, retiring in 1972. He served during the Korean conflict on the USS Shoveler, a Mine Sweeper and in Vietnam. He worked many years as a Construction Estimator for the Navy Public Works Dept. in the Civil Service in San Diego before retiring. He and Michiyo, his wife of 56 years, moved to Colorado to care for his ailing parents over 15 years ago. They lived in Eckert, Cedaredge, Whitewater and Clifton, Colorado. Mac became a resident of the Veterans Hospital Community Living Center in Grand Junction, Colorado in August 2015.

Mac was a member of the VFW, the American Legion, the Fleet Reserve and a proud member of the Military Order of the Cooties. He was previously Post Commander for VFW Grand Mesa #9221 and enjoyed the camaraderie of other Veterans. He was a very gregarious person, enjoyed meeting new people and making people laugh. He was a hobby farmer, raised and sold livestock, was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved the outdoors, especially the Grand Mesa. At the VA, he enjoyed the many outings with other Veterans, playing BINGO and Dominos and socializing with other Veterans and staff at the VA. Many patients and staff became a part of his new family. He was an advocate of the Veterans Administration and assisted other Veterans in understanding the benefits available to them. He was known to pitch in and help out. He always provided for his family and later felt a strong commitment to 'pull his own weight' at the VA, helping fold napkins and assisting the staff in the dining room. He was in chronic pain in the last several months of his life, but his family believed his life was richer because of his experience at the VA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Curtis McClanahan of Littleton, Colorado. He is survived by his wife, Michiyo, two daughters, Mary McClanahan (Hector Nistal) of El Cajon, California; Rene Swan (Mark) of Madera, California; and son Richard McClanahan, as well as six grandsons, Nathan Swan of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Adam Swan of Madera, CA, Zach McClanahan of La Mesa, California, Ryan McClanahan, Branson McClanahan & Dawson McClanahan, of El Cajon, California.

No services will be held, at Mac's request. Please consider making a memorial contribution to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Grand Mesa Post #9221, P.O. Box 302, Cedaredge, CO 81413.