L.J. "Mac" Mccluey
L.J. "Mac" Mccluey
L.J. "Mac" McCluey was born on January 8, 1921, in Hillsboro, Oregon, and passed away on June 7, 2011, as a result of Squamous-cell cancer.
Before graduation of high school, Mac went to work delivering milk for the Carnation Co. in order to provide for his widowed mother and three sisters. Mac later learned to fly and became a fighter pilot and flight instructor during WWII. After the war he Taught at Boise Municipal Airport and later was hired by the Morrison Knudsen Co, in their aircraft division. At the age of 27 Mac was stuck down with polio. The disease hit him while flying a plane. He had no recollection between flying the plane and waking up in the hospital. He was later told that he safely landed the plane, drove himself to the VA hospital and crawled up the front steps. During his two year stay he met his future bride, Leona who was a VA nurse. Mac would like to express his gratitude to the Elk’s Hospital for they provided the rehabilitation that literally put him back on his feet and taught him to walk again.
Mac went to work and retired from the federal government, specifically the FAA. His job took him and his family to several places including Montana, Nevada and finally Idaho. Mac had a passion for all things mechanical and a love of music. He was into antique car restoration before it was even thought of by most of the country. His car of choice was the Model A Ford, having built several. As a child, Mac learned to play the piano on a pump organ that his family owned. His love of music urged him to pursue a career in piano playing. After retiring from the FAA, Mac used his self- taught talent to play for weddings, funerals, dances, and was the Elk’s state organist for Idaho. Mac felt the need to give something back to his community, so he volunteered. Every weekday Mac would load up his organ or later, his electronic keyboard, and go to a different retirement or nursing home and play for the residents during their lunch hour. Mac was wheelchair bound, but he loaded up his equipment by himself if he had to and hardly ever missed a day. H also volunteered his time at the veteran's home and sat on their board of directors. Mac is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Leona, and his children, Michael, Cheryl, Kathy, Kimma, and John plus numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 14, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at Red Rock Christian Church, 1124 S. Roosevelt at Kootenai. A viewing will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Church. Burial will follow at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the Boise Elks Lodge, 6608 W. Fairview Ave. Boise, 83704, in Macs name.
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