In Memory of Jack McClain
Copied from 10-4 Magazine April 2011 Issue
Jack F. McClain (83) of Charles City, Iowa died on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 in Anaheim, California. Jack, who was a veteran truck driver with almost 65 years of driving under his belt, was found dead in his truck after he didn't make his delivery appointment. On Monday, March 7, Jack's last drop in Anaheim, California was rescheduled for the next day. He went back out to his truck, called his wife Sheilah, and told her that he wasn't feeling very good and that he was going to lay down. He had laid down with his beloved dog Sammy next to him but, sadly, never woke up. He was found the next day, with Sammy still by his side. Jack always said he would retire "when they pulled my dead body out of the truck" and that is exactly what happened. You might remember that we [10-4 Magazine] did an article about Jack back in 2007 when he celebrated his 80th birthday. It is amazing that he was still driving at 83 years old - and he did not drive a lame old truck - he had a cool 1999 Peterbilt with a matching 48' spread-axle reefer. Mark Smith of Morrison, Illinois went to California and picked up Jack's truck and brought it, along with Sammy, home. Jack's funeral was held on March 16 at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City, Iowa. The next day, a small caravan of six or seven tall trucks, led by Jack's rig with Mark Smith at the wheel, made a 250 mile trip south, together, in a procession to Promise City, Iowa, where Jack was then laid to rest with his first wife and a son that was killed at 19 in a car accident. Jack leaves behind many family members, including his wife Sheilah, two daughters, two step-sons, a brother and three sisters, and several grandchildren. For many years, right up until his death, Jack hauled meat from Iowa to California and then produce back almost every week. He died doing what he loved and all of us who knew him will miss him dearly. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.
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