Robert Charles "Bob" McClary 1922-2011

HALVERSON, MCCLARY, MARTINEK

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/28/2013 at 13:46:31

Sioux City Journal
14 December 2011

SIOUX CITY -- Robert Charles "Bob" McClary, 89, of Sioux City passed away Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, at his home after a short battle with cancer.

Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel, with the Rev. Michael Erpelding officiating. Entombment will be in Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum with military rites. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m., all at the funeral home. Condolences may be posted online at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Bob was born June 11, 1922, in Ponca, Neb., the son of Charles T. and Genevieve (Halverson) McClary. The family moved to Sioux City in 1923, where Bob lived most of his life. He attended Sioux City schools and graduated from Central High School in 1940.

Bob served three years in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. Part of his service time was in the South Pacific in the 509th Group on Tinian in the Marianas. He helped load the first atomic bomb "Little Boy" into the Enola Gay in August 1945. As a result of his service in World War II, he was awarded the Bronze Battle Star, Good Conduct Medal, American Theatre Ribbon and the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Ribbon.

On Sept. 19, 1942, he married Frances S. Martinek in Yuma, Ariz. After his discharge from the service, the couple made their home in Sioux City. To this union eight children were born, Ginger, Pam, Chuck, Rob, Teresa, Jim, Scott and Candace. Bob worked for Nystrom Electric Co. for 39 years, retiring in 1985. Frannie died on Sept. 21, 1994, in Sioux City.

He was a member of IBEW Local 231 for more than 60 years and at St. Boniface Catholic Church for more than 50 years.

Survivors include seven children and spouses, Ginger (Howard) Martin of Greenville, S.C., Pam (Larry) Sawyer, Chuck (Melinda) McClary, Rob (Cathy) McClary, all of Sioux City, Teresa (John) Bell of Houston, Texas, Scott McClary of Sioux City, Candace (Raj) Malhotra of Marysville, Ohio; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother; three sisters; a son, Jim; a grandson, Robbie Martin; and a son-in-law, Kevin Sweeney.

Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to St. Boniface Church, the June E. Nylen Cancer Center or Hospice of Siouxland.