Clyde Austin McLeod

Clyde Austin McLeod, 82, died Sunday, December 9, 2007, at his home. Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 13, 2007, at 1: 00 pm at Northminster Baptist Church, 3955 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS. Burial at Lakewood Memorial Cemetery in Clinton. Visitation before the funeral is 12:00-1:00 pm at Northminster. The family will also greet friends today from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home, 350 High Street, Jackson, MS.
Clyde McLeod, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Thomas McLeod, was born in Mobile, AL and grew up in New Orleans, LA. He attended college at Southwestern at Memphis (Rhodes), Sewanee and Columbia University, for officers' training then served as a U.S. Navy officer in the Pacific Theater of WWII on the destroyers, USS O'Bannon and the Miles C. Fox. Clyde completed his formal education at Auburn University earning a degree in Civil Engineering. In 1952, he married Ruby Langley of Montgomery, AL. He started his professional life and career with The Frisco Railroad as an apprentice and ended his tenure with The Frisco in Ft. Worth, TX having achieved the position of Western Division Superintendent. The family moved to Jackson, MS in 1960 where he worked with the Mississippi Research and Development Center (MS R&D). Clyde received his J.D. from The Jackson School of Law then served as lobbyist for the Mississippi Economics Council (MEC). He also served as Director of Public Affairs for the Mississippi Manufacturers Association (MMA) before retiring in 1987.
Clyde attended Broadmoor Baptist Church for 40 years where he served as Sunday School teacher, choir member, Deacon and Chairman of the Deacons. Currently, he and Ruby are members of Northminister Baptist Church where he had a special interest in The Wider Net Ministries.
After retirement Clyde volunteered his time and legal experience serving as a mediator for Christian Conciliation Services (CCS). He also enjoyed serving as a docent for the Alsace to America exhibit hosted by the Institute of Southern Jewish Life. Clyde was an avid golfer but is best remembered as a Christian and true Southern Gentleman. His life was consistent with his Scottish motto, "Hold fast" (to that which is good) shown in his devotion to God, church, family and country.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Ruby Langley McLeod; five children, Marshall McLeod (Lu), Becky Eatherly (Bill) both of Raleigh, NC, Molly Walker (Ben) of Tribbett, MS, Ruth Meek (Stephen) of Dallas, TX, and Bob McLeod (Deborah) of Round Rock, TX; and 16 grandchildren, Nicole Arnold, Molly and Todd Eatherly of Raleigh, NC. Mark Eatherly of Walnut Creek, CA, Will, Olivia and Mary Clyde Barrett and Rebekah and Paden Walker all of Tribbett, MS, April Andrews of Greenville, MS, Langley, Rachel, Austin and Anna-Louise Meek of Dallas, TX, Robert and Peyton McLeod of Round Rock, TX.
Memorials may be sent to The Wider Net Fund - North Minster Baptist Church, 3955 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS 39211.