Donald B. McClarren, 83, of Nashua, N.H., rose in peace to be in his heavenly home for Christmas, on Tuesday, December 7th, 2021, surrounded by loved ones.
He was born a twin on February 24th, 1938, in Galion, Ohio, and was the son of James Donald and Miriam Almeda (Reece) McClarren. Don is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sandra Jane (Swartz) McClarren, whom he married on September 14th, 1958; their courtship began as high school sweethearts.
Don lived in the Phillipines as a toddler while his father served with the U.S. Navy until the family returned to Iberia, Ohio where he played basketball and baseball and began childhood friendships with Ron and Sharon Redick that remain today. After graduating from Iberia High School, he joined the military, serving 2 years during peacetime, as a specialist in the U.S. Army. After his time with the U.S. Army, Don focused on his education; earning an undergraduate degree in education from The Ohio State University, a M.S. from Oklahoma University, and started his foundational work for the doctorate in education program at OSU. Furthering his own education was done simultaneously while teaching middle school math and beginning his family with Sandra. He pivoted his career to technology; working for ITT (formerly North Electric) in Galion, Ohio and Cape Canaveral, Florida, OKI in Kissimmee, Florida, MCI in Washington, D.C., Digital Equipment Corporation in Nashua, N.H. and Lucent Technologies and Motorola in N.J. developing telecommunications software standards. Throughout his career he traveled to Germany, Italy, Belgium, Japan, Australia and Nova Scotia where he developed a love of culture being expressed through food. Don was recognized internationally for his innovativeness within the software industry. Retirement brought another patriotic duty for Don; serving two terms as a New Hampshire State Representative and member of the Republican Party. Comradery and fellowship were easy for him to find as members of senior softball teams, a bass singer in the Barnstormers Men’s Choral group and a 32 degree Mason and Bektash Shriner. The common threads of his life were family, faith, education, music, athletics, and patriotic duty. He further combined these elements by coaching his son’s Little League team in Galion, Ohio, serving on the Board of Education in Galion, Ohio, the Board of Directors at the Dyslexia Center in Nashua, N.H. and as a charter member of the General Court Lodge #1784 at the N.H. Statehouse. His faith led him to joining the choirs at church, leading catechism classes and bible study sessions as a member of Peace Church, U.C.C. in Galion, Ohio and at Pilgrim Congregational Church, U.C.C.in Nashua, N.H. His leisure time was filled with curiosity and slowing down as he read presidential biographies, puzzles, cheered on the Buckeyes, Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, and the annual Little League championship games. Closest to his heart were his family fishing trips to Mindemoya, Canada, Lake Erie, and Washington state, the moments he spent as a grandfather and the countless memories he made with his partner, love of his life and best friend, Sannie.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sister, RoseAnn Shaw of Galion, Ohio and children, Eric (Joy) McClarren of Bucyrus, Ohio, Andrea McClarren of Sparta, N.J., Alyssa (Brent) Lewis of New Albany, Ohio, Amy (Casey) Pugh of Woodinville, WA., and Amanda (Kevin) Ouellet of Lowell, MA.; eight grandchildren, Monica (Cory) Zender, Matthew (Kristie) McClarren, Jessica (Patrick) Tucker, Reece Lewis, Redick Lewis, Harrison Pugh, Emery Pugh, and Finley Ouellet; ten great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. He will be missed by lifelong friends, nieces and nephews, his chosen children and fellow musicians.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his twin brother, Ronald R. McClarren, his son, Jeffrey K. McClarren, and grandson, David M. McClarren.
The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday, December 20th, 2021, at Richardson Davis Chapel of Snyder Funeral Homes, 218 S. Market Street, Galion, Ohio 44833 where a memorial service will follow at 3 p.m. with Larry Cawley officiating.
Full military honors will be conducted by the United States Army, VFW Post 8054, and the AMVETS Post 87 both of Mt. Gilead.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation in Don’s name to Honor Flight Columbus or Wreaths Across America, both non-profit organizations create patriotic opportunities for future generations to honor our American heroes.
Honor Flight Columbus, PO Box 12036, Columbus, OH 43212-0036 or via their website at honorflightcmh.org then click “donate.”
Wreaths Across America via their website at wreathsacrossamerica.org then choose “sponsor wreaths.”
Richardson Davis Chapel of Snyder Funeral Homes in Galion is honored to serve the family of Don McClarren, and condolences may be made to them at www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.