Obituary for Robert McClary

Robert Jackson McClary, age 88, of Centerburg, passed away peacefully at Grant Hospital.

He retired as a sergeant from the Westerville Police Department in 1987 after 20 years of service. He briefly served as Chief of Police for Genoa Township, then spent 14 years enjoying retirement in Bradenton, Florida. Before joining the WPD, he worked as an upholsterer for 18 years at Brown Royal Furniture.

Born on September 5, 1931, in Huntington, West Virginia, to Lester Wallace McClary and Hilda Alberta (Neville) McClary, he was the middle of 5 children. The family moved to Galena, Ohio, in 1941 and he graduated from Galena High School in 1949. After a 3 day courtship, he married Edith Mae Dalton on July 21, 1951. During their 68 year marriage, they raised 2 children, Robert Steven McClary and Michelle Lynn (McClary) Blanchard.

He was passionate about Harley Davidson motorcycles, Cadillacs, Corvettes, and Florida. He loved laying in the sun soaking up the heat and there was no such thing as “too hot and humid”. He loved working out and lifting weights and was active right up until the end. He was a member of Grace Chapel Community Church and enjoyed fellowship and volunteering at events and outreaches.

Preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Homer “Buck” McClary, James McClary, Betty (McClary) Fatig, and Thomas McClary. He is survived by his wife, Edith; son Steve (Cathie) McClary; daughter Michelle (Fred) Blanchard; grandchildren Robert Christopher (Bessie) McClary, Haley Nicole (Colin) O’Connor; great grandchildren Madison Elizabeth McClary, Robert Stewart McClary, Catherine Victoria McClary, and Emilia Lee O’Connor; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation 4:00-6:00pm on Thursday, November 21, 2019. Funeral Service 10:30am on Friday, November 22, 2019. Services will be held at Hill Funeral Home, Westerville, OH. Internment at Trenton Township Cemetery, Sunbury, OH.