Loye E McClanahan
May 02, 2010
Loye E McClanahan, married to Patricia Alice (Winchell) McClanahan died Sunday morning, May 2, 2010. He was born in Greentop, Missouri and during childhood moved to Des Moines, Iowa. Loye was a retired Firestone Tire and Rubber worker and dedicated over 30 years as a union laborer. On May 20, Loye would have been 79 years old as he was born on May 20, 1931. Recently, Loye and Pat celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary where over 100 people attended.
Loye is preceded in death by his parents, Rhodney and Elizabeth McClanahan; and two sisters, Flossie “Murlene” and Ruth Leta. He is survived by his wife Patricia; sister, Arlene; and two sons, Rodney and Gary McClanahan. Rodney is married to Pixie McClanahan and together they have five children, Melissa, Bryan, Eric, Andrea and Jason. They also have 8 grandchildren. Gary McClanahan has three children, Ryan, Jennifer and Jessica. Loy and Pat were blessed with eight great-grandchildren, Tyler Clover, 16, Rebecca Clover, 13, Sydney McClanahan, 9, Jackson McClanahan, 4, Michael Ludwick, 9, Conner Ludwick, 7, Jonathan Ludwick, 13, and Jordan Brown, 14.
Loye was the type of man who knew no strangers. He was loved by all who knew him because of his country charm and helping hand. His greatest enjoyment in life was family and children. He also enjoyed hunting, reading, fishing, boating, camping, teasing and laughing. He was his neighbors’ best friend as he assisted them by mowing their lawns, helping with repairs and sharing from his vegetable garden. Our neighbors, Nicholas and Connie thought of him as a grandfather and a friend. He always had candy on him for anyone who had a sweet tooth. He made homemade sweet pickles that became famous for their taste and provided the makings for the best potato salad you could ever eat.
He loved to hear his boys play their guitars and surrounded himself with family. His niece and nephews often thought of him as a father figure. He was his children’s biggest fan no matter what they were involved in. He loved his wife Pat for more than 60 years. He always said that she was the most beautiful woman and showed his love through his actions. His grandchildren loved him like a father.
If you didn’t have the opportunity to meet this “Irish boy” Loye, it is his family’s hope that you have known someone like him. He is the kind of human being that makes the world a better place to live in and he had an appreciation for everything that surrounded him. He was blessed by God with his ability to show kindness, support, and caring, more through actions than words. You knew he cared without ever having to be told. You immediately loved him.
Give it 100 percent and never look over your shoulder was dad’s philosophy to live by.
It will take time for all of us as we miss and love him so much. We know he is in heaven now, free from pain; hunting, fishing, reading, gardening, visiting family and friends and looking over all of us. When you think of Loye, Dad, or Grandpa, remember that he is watching with caring eyes as you live your life while echoing the importance of family.
We will love and miss you for a lifetime. Thanks for all that you have done for each of us. You are now free from pain.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Janet Payne Schmidt
05/05/2010
Patty, Rod and Gary, and family,
I'm so sorry to hear about Loye's death. I'm living in Waterloo now, and don't get the Des Moines paper any more. Teddie Sayles emailed me to tell me. She's Richard Sayles' wife. Mel and I spent lots of fun times visiting with your family at the Sayles' reunions, and visits at the house. Patty and Loye came to visit us several times in Newton, too. Lots of good, happy memories. He will be missed. Take good care of each other now. Love & Prayers & Hugs, Jan
(email: jsyogm@msn.com)
eric
05/05/2010
i will miss you gpa. thank u for all the memories from teaching me about hunting to ice fishing. i will miss u. OH and why you need to shoot the dog in the butt with rock salt..... :) i love you!!!
Greg Senske
05/05/2010
Rod, Gary, and Family,
It was fun to spend time with Loye after the Racoon River Boys concert and at Rod's Retirement party. He was a terrific energetic lovely man, and you can see where his sons got their charisma.
We know that God has welcomed him with open arms, and we know you will miss him dearly. Our hearts go out to you.
Greg and Mary Senske
Matt & Shanthi Pattison
05/05/2010
Dear Aunt Patty & McClanahan Family,
We were truly honored to have had Uncle Loye as part of our lives. We continue to treasure the laughter he gave us (infamous shennanigans with our Grandpa Pattison, potato salad stories, and the eternal Duke(s) to mention a few...) We will miss him dearly.
Jeff Mitchell
05/05/2010
Rod and Family:
Sorry to hear of your Father's passing. Our thoughts and prayers and with you all.
Jeff and Bonnie Mitchell
Gary and Paula (McClanahan) Thompson
05/05/2010
As we mourn Loye's passing, we also celebrate his life! I will attempt to share just a few of the things that will always be in my heart about Loye. Whenever Loye was with us, we were having a good time! The stories that he shared with us about the ornery pranks of "Rodney and Gary" brought much laughter--to the point of tears!! And, then, there were the stories of Loye and Dad as "young guys." (My dad, Gene, and Loye were first cousins and born only a few months apart.) I'm sure that some of those stories were probably NEVER shared with Rod or Gary or my sister or me. However, as Dad and Loye had those frequent LONG phone calls during the past few years, I have a feeling those "special memories" were discussed, REPEATEDLY, with older voices but with the same heartfelt boyhood laughter!!!
The hunting trips that Loye and "the boys" made in the RV to our farm in Missouri involved much more than just hunting deer or turkeys. Although they went to the woods early, the rest of our family--Grandpa Gale, Dad & Mom, Brett and Chad (Chad was often with them, acting as guide and hunting companion) also showed up for the hunting stories, reminiscing, and food at the kitchen table! I knew for Loye that it meant pie--blackberry, peach, and custard--and NOTHING with bananas! The hunting was good, the food was (hopefully) good, but the stories were the best part!! As Grandpa slapped his knee and Dad and Loye shook with laughter, the rest of us joined in to relive every moment!!
I could go on and on with sweet memories, but then, as now, the time always comes to say "good-bye" until the next get-together. Somehow, we always wished it could have been "just a little longer." When Pat and Loye visited on a weekend, they always attended church with us, and I know from talking with them that God and their church family had become an important part of their lives. As I hugged Loye "good-bye" at the 60th Wedding Anniversary celebration (and what a wonderful day that was!), I knew that it would probably be our last hug here on earth. But, when God took Loye's hand early Sunday morning to lead him home, he has just had to leave until our next get-together--and that one can last forever!!
Prayers and Hugs for all of you today--WE LOVE YOU!!
Paula and Gary and family
Margaret McClanahan Quint
05/05/2010
I am so sorry about the loss of Loye. He was such a great person and a true McClanahan, full of laughter and joy. I will never forget when I was in the sixth grade and daddy was out coon hunting. We were going to bed and mom heard someone outside and saw them climb in Dads boat, or someones who was parked there.
We were all petrified. When daddy got home he went out and looked and it was Loye, he did not want to bother us. He spent the night. A godd memory of mine.
I apolige that I will not be able to be there. I am flying to Florida with my daughter and grandson to a wedding. I will think of all of you and my heart goes out to you all He will be missed that is for sure.
Margaret and family
Todd Jacobus
05/05/2010
So sorry to hear of the passing of Loye McClanahan. While I did not know Loye, I have met his son, Dr. Gary McClanahan, on numerous occasions at Des Moines Central Campus. Interesting what you can ofte tell about a person based on their children. In Gary, I have known a person who cares very much about people in general, students in particular, and who wants to provide opportunities where they may not have existed before. After reading through some of these comments, I can see where he gets these positive attributes; the fruit doesn't fall very far from the tree, as they say.
My most sincere sympathy to the McClanahan family.
Rebecca Taylor
05/05/2010
Dear Gary,
I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your father. May God be with you and your family at this time.
Ann Pattison
05/04/2010
I called him Uncle Loye even though I was not related to him! He always made you feel special. All he had to do is smile and call me, "Annie Poo" and my heart would melt.
I can still picture him sitting in his chair in the living room with his bib overalls on with no shirt!
I will truly miss Uncle Loye!
Annie Poo
Shane Maglothin
05/05/2010
Rod (Boss),
So sorry to hear about your father.
I always enjoyed the hilarious stories you told about the fun you had as a kid with him. They made me tear up from laughing so hard. While I didn't know him very well he must have been a great man to let you get past childhood!
I hope those fond memories surround and comfort you and your family during this difficult time. I'm sure he'll be missed and remembered often.
With Sympathy,
Shane
Leonard Dhabalt
05/04/2010
Our sympathy goes out to you and your families. Your dad was a neat man. When he would come to Melcher when you had your shows,he was so pround of you guys. You Rod, Pixie and Gary are in our hearts and prayers. Always remember the good times you had with your dad. Memories are very special and will let you get through this.
Leonard and Yvonne
Barbara McClanahan Smith
05/04/2010
I want to say that I wasn't Loye a lot after I got older but I always rememver that him and Uncle Merle were always at every family function and him and my father Aaron and Uncle Gail were always trading stories. I miss those days. I am so sorry for the grief you are going through Pat and Family. He was a wonderful man. God will help it to heal as the time passes. I am so saddened that I didn't make it to more of the Family Reunions. You will be missed Loye. My prayers go out to you all and God Bless You.
Dedra Coldiron
05/04/2010
To the McClanahan, Ludwick & Brown family,
My thoughts & prayers are with each of you at this tough time. I hope my angles from Texas made it up there to help out.
Much Love & prayer to you all, I think of y'all as my 2nd family.
Thank you and God Bless
Dedra Coldiron, Flower Mound Texas
Grover and Cindy Hahn
05/04/2010
We're so saddened by the news of Loye's passing. After hearing, we sat down and talked about how much we enjoyed our times with him. We laughed about how ,at first, he wouldn't smile or talk to any of us. We couldn't understand how he and the wonderful, outgoing, bubbly Pat got together. But after awhile he began to warm to us, and soon we were laughing and swapping stories. He was someone the whole office looked forward to seeing. We mourn with you, but hold on to the great memories. We also truly miss our times with you. You are wonderful people,and know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Hope to see you someday on our return from Arizona. With Love, Grover and Cindy