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Gene Norman McClellan

March 9, 2011 by Paul McClellan 1 Comment

GENE  NORMAN  McCLELLAN

Oct. 3, 1921 – March 1, 2011

Grandfather, Father, and Gene McClellan at Father's Wedding (1951)
Grandfather, Father, and Gene McClellan at Father’s Wedding (1951)

Gene Norman McClellan was my father’s older half-brother. My father, Paul Truman McClellan, Jr., grew up with Gene until Gene left for service in World War II. Gene seemed to me to be a connection to my deceased father and grandfather. Visiting Gene helped me better remember what their lives were like and what their perspectives might have been were they still living.

Gene's Gravesite Service
Gene’s Gravesite Service

The following is the obituary as published in the Statesman Journal newspaper (Salem, Oregon):

Gene McClellan was born to Paul and Genevieve McClellan in the North Santiam area on the 3rd of October, 1921. He passed away on March 1st at his home in Gates at the age of 89. Gene lived in West Stayton before moving to Gates in 1960. He began working in the logging industry before going to work for Santiam Cable Vision. Gene served as Superintendent for the City of Gates Water Department and retired in 1987 after 30 years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and reading. He honorably served his country in the US Army during WWII.

He is survived by his daughters, Debra Christianson of California, Janet Curtis of Stayton; grandchildren, Paula, Joshua, Jodi and Jeremy and seven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Joe.

Graveside service with military honors will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Salem on Monday, March 7th at 2:00 pm.

A gathering will follow at the family home.

Arrangements entrusted to Weddle Funeral Services.

Online condolences to Weddle-Funeral.com

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: Gene Norman McClellan, mount hope cemetery

Climbing Denali 1996

February 5, 2010 by Paul McClellan Leave a Comment

In June 1996 I joined Fantasy Ridge Alpinism on a guided expedition climbing Denali in Alaska. This was a small team, with five clients and two guides. The guides, Lyle Dean and Jim Nigro, were excellent and I had a successful and very rewarding experience.

For several years I had wanted to climb Denali (Mount McKinley). In preparation I gained high altitude climbing experience climbing in Mexico in 1990 and in Ecuador in 1991-1992.

Finally, in the fall of 1995 I decided the time and circumstances were right to join a guided trip. Using a guide service I could minimize the logistical planning and preparations and instead focus on obtaining equipment and getting training. I could also attempt an alternate route to the standard West Buttress route and learn from an experienced Alaskan mountain guide.

[Read more…] about Climbing Denali 1996

Filed Under: Climbing Tagged With: Alaska, Denali, Denali National Park, Denali West Rib, Fantasy Ridge Alpinism, Kahiltna Glacier

Climbing in Ecuador

February 5, 2010 by Paul McClellan Leave a Comment

In December 1991 three friends and I left on our private climbing expedition to summit three ultra prominence peaks in Ecuador. The original goal was to climb the volcanoes Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, and Cayambe. But the trip evolved considerably as it progressed.

I wanted to climb in Ecuador since my climbing trip to Mexico in 1990. I had tried to join a Mazamas expedition in 1991 but had no luck getting in. So when I heard from other Chemeketans that Gary Metternich, Steve Autio, Mark Bovie, and Pete Bond were planning a climbing expedition to Ecuador I quickly called and asked to join. Pete had to back out so that left an opening for me and I was in.

[Read more…] about Climbing in Ecuador

Filed Under: Climbing Tagged With: Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Ecuador, Oriente, Quito

Climbing Mexican Volcanoes 1990

February 4, 2010 by Paul McClellan Leave a Comment

In January 1990 I joined a guided climbing expedition to climb three ultra prominence Mexican volcanoes, Popocatepetl, Iztaccihuatl, and Orizaba. If successful, I would set personal bests for high altitude mountaineering and test myself for possible future mountaineering elsewhere.

This climbing expedition was organized by American Alpine Institute, a mountain guiding company based in Bellingham, Washington.

[Read more…] about Climbing Mexican Volcanoes 1990

Filed Under: Climbing Tagged With: American Alpine Institute, Iztaccihuatl, Mexico, Orizaba, Popocatepetl, Teotihuacan

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