Jeffrey David McClelland

PHOENIX, ARIZ. - Jeffrey David McClelland, 47, formerly of Racine, passed away Sunday, September 10, 2006, peacefully at home after a courageous four-year battle with colon cancer. Jeff was born March 31, 1959, in Saginaw, Mich., to David and Kay (nee: Kennedy) McClelland. When he was two, the family moved to Racine. His father's work for S.C. Johnson Wax took the family to Brazil for four years, where Jeff learned to speak Portuguese and play soccer. Jeff graduated from J.I. Case High School "Class of 1976" and was a member of the State Champion Golf Team. He attended Northwestern University on an ROTC Scholarship and graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and a commission as an Ensign in the United States Navy. He went to flight school in Pensacola, Fla. and continued his training in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he stayed on as a Flight Instructor. On July 2, 1983, he married Lori Jacobucci. The couple moved to the Bay Area in Florida, where Jeff was stationed at Moffitt Field flying P-3 anti-submarine warfare planes. Jeff left active duty in 1986, but remained in the Reserves until his 20-year retirement as a Commander. Jeff was accepted to Stanford Business School and received his Master of Business Administration in 1988. Jeff's love of aviation led him to accept a job as a Financial Analyst with American Airlines in Dallas, Texas. Three years later, he went to Northwest Airlines, where he worked for nearly 10 years in a variety of operations and finance positions. He left Northwest in 1999 to join America West as Senior Vice-President of Operations, and in 2001, he was named Chief Operating Officer. Following the 2005 merger of America West and US Airways, Jeff assumed a new position as Executive Vice-President/Chief Administration Officer. Jeff also proudly served as a board member of the Arizona Science Center. Jeff is survived by his wife of 23 years, Lori; his four beloved boys, Peter, Jack, Will, and Sean; his parents, David and Kay McClelland; brothers, Scott (Joy) McClelland and Tony (Ashley) McClelland, all of Racine; his maternal grandmother, Erma Criner of Elsie, Mich.; his father-in-law, Jake Jacobucci; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Steve (Doras) Jacobucci, David (Kris) Jacobucci, Tina (Cliff) Warner; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, his adimistrative assistant and "second mom," Patty Field; his many good friends, colleagues, golfing buddies, and his "airline family" at America West/US Airlines. He was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Barbara Jacobucci. A Memorial service will be held Saturday, September 16, 2006, 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, Main at 8th Street, with Rev. Brad Van Fossen officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church on Saturday 10 a.m. until time of service and at a reception following the service. Burial will take place at Ford Cemetery in Elsie, Mich. near the family farm he loved so much. Memorials to Hospice of the Valley (www.hospice of the valley.org) or to the McClelland Scholarship Fund - established by US Airways as part of the US Airways Education Foundation have been suggested. Jeff's family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the many friends and neighbors, who have been such a support over the past four years. Your cards and notes of encouragement, meals, and innumerable acts of kindness meant so much to Jeff and continue to sustain us. We are especially grateful to the wonderful nurses and staff at Hospice of the Valley, who saw us lovingly through these final weeks. MARESH-MEREDITH AND ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME 803 Main Street 634-7888