Mr. John “Scotty” McClurg, 92, of Amelia Island, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, in the loving care of his wife, Lynne Ann, his loyal dog, Prince Charles, and his caring aides, along with a dear neighbor and friend.
Mr. McClurg was born July 23, 1924, in Cleveland, where he grew up. He was the son of the late John B. and Agnes McAllister McClurg. Both of his parents and sisters were born in Kilmarnock, Scotland, making him the first of the McClurg family to be born in the USA.
He grew up in a home with memories of both parents working during the Depression and hearing the sharing of stories of his father’s involvement in World War I, as his dad served with the Seaforth Highlanders in France and was one of the few survivors of his regiment. Later, after the losses of his regimental friends, his father chose to move to the family to United States. His parents were musically inclined – his mother sang and played the piano, while his father played the violin. Thus, as a young child, Scotty possessed a singing voice and sang for his sisters and continued singing and enjoying music into his later years.
As years passed and after hearing stories of his father’s military involvement, at the age of 17, Scotty felt the call to serve his country. His parents gave their permission once Japan attacked Pearl Harbor with the stipulation that Scotty would enlist in the U.S. Navy. His father said in the Navy, Scotty could get a wash every now and then, unlike himself in the trenches of France. Scotty enlisted during World War II and then he served as quartermaster first class aboard the USS Chicago and USS Vicksburg, along with other ships.
At age 21, Scotty returned home to Cleveland with an honorable discharge. After returning from his military service, he met Lois Huntsberger, a fellow choir member at First Presbyterian Church, who became his wife and mother of their three children for 48 years until she lost her battle with cancer. During this marriage, he completed his high school education and attended college, where he graduated with his degree in metallurgical engineering. Next, he began his professional career with U.S. Steel before joining Oglebay Norton, an iron ore company, as a salesman. Later, he founded Seaforth Mineral and Ore Co., which he passed on to his two sons. The company will soon celebrate its 60th year of mineral processing and distribution.
After Lois passed, he met Lynne Ann Palmquist at a George Voinovich and George Bush Sr. celebration in Cleveland. Scotty and Lynne married Oct. 14, 1994, and shared 22 years of marriage together. They made their home in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, until moving to Amelia Island in the late 1990s. In their retirement, they enjoyed their life together dancing, golfing, traveling the world and spending their final years at their beachfront home with Prince Charles.
Mr. McClurg was a member of St. Andrew’s Society of Jacksonville, a 71-year member of the Masonic Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, the Shrine Temple, the American Legion, the Disabled Veterans of Cleveland and the Seaforth Highlanders of Scotland.
Mr. McClurg leaves behind his wife, Lynne Ann Palmquist McClurg of Amelia Island; his children, James McClurg and his wife, Melody, and Gary McClurg and his wife, Monique; and his daughter, Bonnie J. McClurg; along with grandchildren, Michael, Jeffrey, Molly, Graham, Madeline and Anneliese; also, Lynne’s children, Krysti Lyn, Katy Burke and her husband, Tom, and grandchildren, Patrick and David Burke, and a niece, Suzanne Porter and her husband, Fred, of Nyack, N.Y.
Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016, at Jacksonville National Cemetery with the Rev. Don Edwards of Amelia Plantation Chapel officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or a charity of your choice.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors