Jack Owen McClanahan, son of the late Troy Allen and Alice Louise (Hamilton) McClanahan, was born July 22, 1951, in North Kansas City, Missouri, and passed unexpectedly on December 5, 2023, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of 72.
Jack lived in Grovespring, Missouri, until the family moved to North Kansas City at the age of three. As a child, he spent his summers on the farm of grandparents, Jake and Jewell McClanahan, back in Grovespring. He attended school in North Kansas City, Missouri, for all twelve years, graduating in 1969. Jack entered the Air Force Reserve in 1970 and served honorably until discharge in 1976 with the rank of Staff Sergeant.
In 1971, Jack married his high school girlfriend, Lyn Marie Beezley, with whom he adopted a son, Robert Owen McClanahan, on October 15, 1976, when he was just five days old. The marriage lasted for eight years.
Later in December of 1979, Jack met Laura Schwehr who was from Montana. They became best friends and dated until they married on July 23, 1983, in Billings, Montana. They bought their first farm in Dearborn, but later moved to Oakland, Iowa. Jack had been working with TWA PARS when Laura was offered a transfer to Omaha which provided them a better locality between their families. When Jack’s father passed in 1996, the couple bought the family farm which has been in the McClanahan family since 1928.
Jack worked in several disciplines including steelwork, communication system design, maintenance man, sales, truck drive, and farmer. His first love was always farming.
In 1981, Jack joined the Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. Jack was active in the Knights of Columbus Council and Assembly wherever he was a member. He became an honorary life member two years ago as a Fourth Degree Knight. His highest achievements included being Grand Knight, District Deputy and Faithful Navigator. Over the years, Jack had the honor of serving in several other organizations from being President of Junior Achievement in High School, President of Jagwood Investment Club, Scoutmaster, and Lions Club President. He also served as a Parish council member.
Jack loved to fish and camp, especially in the Rocky Mountains where many vacations were spent. His greatest joys were his wife, children, and his country. Jack was patriotic and flew his flag with pride.
Besides his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his stepmother, Irene McClanahan; brother, Gary Dean McClanahan and his wife Shirley; a niece, Becky Racheal McClanahan; and brother-in-law, Curtis Key.
Jack is survived by his wife of 40 years, Laura McClanahan; son, Robert McClanahan (Heather); daughter, Dakota McClanahan; sister, Connie Northern (Johnny); brother, Alan McClanahan and Rae Jean Key; grandchildren, Ashley -McClanahan and Clay Jones; several great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews, Jacob Northern, Sarah Boisvert, Troy McClanahan, Tiffney McClanahan, Allison McClanahan, Travis McClanahan, and Ryan Key; and a host of other relatives and friends who will miss him greatly.
In lieu of flowers, we request memorial contributions be made to the Missouri Knights of Columbus Meet Life Campaign. This fund is used to help stop abortions, an issue that was very important to Jack.
