McLeland, Wayne 1924-2004

MCLELAND, WILSON

Posted By: Debbie Nash (email)
Date: 6/6/2004 at 21:46:30

Wayne McLeland
June 03, 2004

Wayne G. McLeland, 79, of Houston, Texas, and formerly of Stockport, died of cancer Sunday, May 9, 2004, at Friendswood nursing home in Houston.

A graveside service was held at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston.

Mr. McLeland was born Aug. 29, 1924, in Stockport, the son of Harry and Blanche McLeland. He married Lois Wilson. She died in 2003.

Mr. McLeland grew up in Stockport. He played baseball, basketball and football for Stockport High School. After graduating in 1941, he began playing for minor league baseball teams. He pitched for the Detroit Tigers in the American League in 1951-1952.

After retiring from baseball in 1956, McLeland worked as a laborer at Goodyear Tire and Rubber in Houston. He retired 35 years later as a production supervisor.

In 2003, McLeland's name was imprinted on one of the bricks honoring past Detroit Tigers at the team's new stadium, Comerica Park.

Survivors include two sons, Kenneth McLeland of Newcastle, Wash., and Ronald McLeland of Kingwood, Texas; and one brother, Carroll McLeland of Bode.

Courtesy of the Fairfield Daily Ledger Inc. 2004