Clyde C. McCully

1925 - 2022

Clyde C. McCully
September 29, 1925 - December 21, 2022
Fresno, California - Clyde C. McCully passed away peacefully on December 21, 2022 at the age of 97. Clyde is survived by his sons, Brian (Martha), Erik (Deborah), Kevin (Yuki) and his daughter Amanda Capin. He is also survived by his ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Clyde is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, son-in-law, Philip Capin, and his beloved wife, Betty Jo McCully.
Clyde grew up in Orlando and Winter Park, Florida, one of four sons born to Franklin and Beulah McCully. His early years were spent enjoying childhood activities and getting odd jobs to support his school interests, including the Sea Scouts. Clyde graduated from Winter Park High School in June, 1943. In September of 1943, a few days before his 18th birthday, Clyde enlisted in the United States Coast Guard.
Upon completion of boot camp and landing barge school he was assigned to the USS Bayfield APA 33, an assault transport, which was his home for the rest of World War II. While assigned to the Bayfield, Clyde was the coxswain of a Higgins Boat LCVP. During the Normandy landings (D-Day) and the assault on Southern France, Clyde ferried troops and supplies to shore and returned casualties to the Bayfield. He also served in the battles at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. For his dedicated service, Clyde received four battle stars, a purple heart and in 2016 the French Legion of Honor.
In April of 1946, Clyde was honorably discharged from the Coast Guard after attaining the rank of Boatswain's Mate, 2nd Class. That fall he enrolled at Stetson University in Florida to pursue a college education. At Stetson, Clyde's life was forever changed when he met Betty Jo Butler on the steps of Elizabeth Hall and, less than a year later, they married at Betty Jo's family home in Quincy, Florida. Together they graduated from Stetson in 1949 and shortly thereafter moved to California where Clyde continued his education, receiving a Master's in Education from California State University, Los Angeles, administrative credentials from the University of Southern California, and an Ed.D. in Education Leadership from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Clyde served as a school teacher, principal and college administrator before becoming President of Fresno City College (FCC) in 1967. He was President of FCC for nineteen years and is the longest-serving President in FCC history. During his tenure, Clyde led the college as it quickly expanded the number of degree programs available and occupational programs offered to meet community needs. He helped develop special programs for people with disabilities, for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and for returning Vietnam veterans. Further, Clyde guided FCC through the redevelopment of its campus to provide modern facilities to accommodate the growth in its programs and technology.
In addition to his service to FCC, Clyde contributed to his community by providing leadership and support to local organizations. He served as a member and as chairman of the Valley Children's Hospital Board of Trustees; a member and president of the North Fresno Rotary Club and chairman of the Urban Coalition of Fresno.
After retiring from FCC in 1986, Clyde and Betty Jo enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. Clyde was a caring, devoted husband, parent and grandparent. He has had a profound lasting impact on his family, the true joy of his life. He was an outstanding role model and instilled in the members of his family the values he personally demonstrated throughout his life: courage, hard work, integrity, curiosity, personal responsibility and compassion.
A military honors service and interment at the California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery in Seaside, CA is planned for Monday, March 13, 2023 at 2:00 pm with a reception to follow. For further details, please contact the McCully Family at C.McCully.Family@gmail.com
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the State Center Community College Foundation
https://www.scccd.edu/foundation/donate-now.html