James E. "Doc" Mcclellan

‘Doc’ McClellan, a well-known citizen of Frederick County died November 26, 2016 at the age of 90. He was born March 22, 1926 in Frederick, MD, to the late Dr. J. Bernard McClellan and Edna Davis McClellan and attended grade school at Parkway Elementary in Frederick City. After graduation from Massanutten Military Academy in Woodstock, VA, he attended Georgetown University until his induction into the U.S. Army in 1944. A combat veteran of the European Theatre of Operations, he received 3 battle stars for action in France, Belgium, and Germany. As a soldier in the occupation army he was able to travel extensively throughout Austria and Germany after the war. Returning to America, he married Betty Jane Marendt of Frederick, MD on August 17, 1946. Doc and Betty were blessed with 6 children, 10 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

Doc received his undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Georgia in 1955. Returning to Frederick, he practiced with his father, Dr. J. Bernard McClellan, until the elder Dr. McClellan’s death in 1972. During his professional career, Doc served as President of the Western Maryland Veterinary Medical Association and the Maryland State Veterinary Medical Association. Doc was appointed by the governor of Maryland to serve two terms on the Maryland State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners where he was selected by board members to serve as President. Dr. McClellan was named the Maryland Veterinarian of the Year in 1979 by the Maryland State Veterinary Medical Association. The College of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Georgia honored Dr. McClellan in 1985 for his “efforts, loyal service and outstanding contributions to Veterinary Medicine.” Dr. McClellan received the Distinguished Service Award from the Virginia – Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1993.

In 1973 Doc was elected to the Frederick City Board of Aldermen, serving as President pro tempore of the Board under Mayor Ronald Young for a term of 4 years. Subsequently, he was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Frederick and Washington counties in District 3B. He served 16 years as Chairman of the Frederick County and Western Maryland delegations. Although a consummate politician, Doc was most proud of his friendships forged in the Maryland legislature with such political stalwarts as Del. Julien Delphy, Sen. Eddie Thomas, Sen. Charles Smelser, Speaker of the House of Delegates Casper Taylor, Governors Harry Hughes and William Donald Schaefer, and Comptroller Louis Goldstein. Dr. McClellan’s close associations with his fellow members of the state legislature enabled Mayor Ronald Young’s vision for Frederick City to become a reality. During Doc’s tenure in the Maryland legislature works such as the Weinberg Center for the Arts, the Delaplaine Center, Frederick Community College Library building, and the Carroll Creek linear park and flood control project were initiated.

After his retirement from the state legislature, Doc was appointed by Gov. Paris Glendening to the Frederick County Liquor Board, serving alongside long term board members Charles Cline and Bob Snyder until 2012.

Dr. McClellan had an abiding interest in agriculture in Frederick County and was a life-time member of the Frederick County Agricultural Society. He served on the Board of the Great Frederick Fair for over 50 years and was Chairman of the Maryland Commission on Education in Agriculture.

Doc and Betty had a very active social life and he was a member of the following associations: Elks, Moose, American Legion, Independents Hose Co., Catoctin Club, Cotillion Club, Farm Bureau, VFW, Jeffersonian Democratic Club, Lions Club, AMVETS, and Owls Club.

Doc is survived by his wife, Betty and their children, James. R. McClellan and wife Jane; Gail Snyder and husband Jim; Bernie McClellan and wife Cathy; Barbara Stanley; Debby McClellan and husband Jim Morrison; Terry McArthur and husband Roger, 10 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

Thank you Dad for a life of selfless service to your country, state, county, city, family, and profession. Another member of the “greatest generation” has passed.

“Well done good and faithful servant, rest in peace.”

The family will receive friends from 12 noon to 4pm on Thursday, December 1 at the Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, 106 East Church Street, Frederick. Funeral services will be private as well as the interment at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Frederick.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at keeneybasford.com.