Dr. Ernest C. McClendon

It is with profound sorrow we announce the loss of Dr. Ernest Calvin McClendon, who passed away peacefully August 18, 2025, surrounded by his loving family after a brief illness. He will be remembered for his great strength of purpose, integrity, and generosity. A robust extrovert, he was unwavering in his support for his family, friends and his enthusiastic love for the city of Carrollton.

Ernest was born on March 24, 1930, in a little house at 901 Murphy Avenue in LaGrange, Georgia, the only son of Rupert McClendon and his wife, Adell Bassett McClendon. His parents were young, their circumstances humble, but Ernest grew up with a lively extended family filled with musicians, who instilled a love of music that he shared with others for the rest of his life. A proud graduate of LaGrange High School he was a former student of the legendary music educator, William Deal. He began his college career with the first class of men allowed at LaGrange College in 1948, where he met his beautiful wife, Doris Howard, of Dearing, Georgia. He transferred to the University of Georgia in 1950 to finish his degree in Music Education. In addition to being a fine singer, he was a trombonist and an accomplished violinist and served as the concert master for the orchestra at UGA. He graduated from UGA on June 5, 1952, the same day he married Doris, and they began their teaching careers in Tallapoosa, Georgia. Over the next decade he earned a Masters in Music Education from Auburn University, studying under the great Bodie Hinton, and later, earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Administrative Education from Georgia State University in 1986.

He was wooed to Carrollton in 1954, by former superintendent, F.M. Chalker, to become the first full-time band and chorus director for the Carrollton City School System, where from a handful of students he built a thriving fine arts program that flourishes to this very hour. He was selected as Star Teacher of Carrollton High School and remained the band director until 1968, when he accepted the position as principal of Carrollton Junior High, a position held until he retired in 1989. After retirement, he remained a staunch supporter of the Carrollton City Schools Fine Arts programs and Trojan football.

After retirement, he pursued violin work as a member of the Rome Symphony and was a charter member of the LaGrange Symphony where he remained active for many years. He also played in the Gala String Quartet, organized and directed the first Carrollton Youth Orchestra and for many years was the choir director at Carrollton First Methodist Church. He was an active member of Carrollton First Methodist from 1954 and loved being a part of the Agape Sunday School Class until his death.

In addition to his musical endeavors, he loved golfing, camping with his family, traveling all over the U.S. and abroad, and was for several years, an avid bicyclist with his wife, Doris, participating in the annual B.R.A.G. He was a proud Kiwanis Club member, faithfully attending meetings for four decades, right up until the last two weeks of his life.

Ernest McClendon was preceded in death by his parents, three infant triplet-sisters, Hattie, Hassie and Cassie McClendon and two cherished brothers-in-law, William Howard of Thomson, Georgia, and H.L. McCright of Carrollton, Georgia.

In addition to his precious wife, Doris, he is survived by his daughter, Emily McClendon Calk, (Wayne) of North Augusta, SC, son, Jeffrey E. McClendon of Denver, CO and daughter, Rebecca McClendon MacArthur (Tom) of Saint Marys, GA. He was a beloved, "Granddaddy Mac" to thirteen grandchildren: Chris Shelly, (Magda) Julia Shelly, Dr. Ian Calk, Gareth Calk, Paul McClendon, (Alissa) Jacob McClendon, Anna McClendon, CPO Scott McClendon, USN, Mortimer "Mo" MacArthur, Jonathan MacArthur, (Cassie) David MacArthur, (Madison) Samantha MacArthur and Charlie MacArthur, and seven great-grandchildren, Noah Shelly, Mary Shelly, Abigail Shelly, Seth Shelly, Rhett McClendon, Zelda Anne MacArthur and Baby Girl McClendon, due November 2025. The memories he created camping with his grandchildren in North Georgia, Walt Disney World and Myrtle Beach, SC, will be cherished, forever.

Other survivors include his sisters-in-law, Beth McCright, Vickie Howard and Marjorie Cole (Bob) as well as beloved nieces, nephews and their children and many special neighbors, friends, former teachers, former students, colleagues and musicians.

Visitation will be at Almon Funeral Home on August 28, from 5-7 p.m. and a Celebration of Life service will be held at Carrollton First Methodist Church on August 29 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with a private burial in LaGrange.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Dr. Ernest C. McClendon Band Fund through the Carrollton City Schools Education Foundation, 106 Trojan Drive, Carrollton, GA 30117. This fund enables worthy band students to have private lessons to enhance their musical education. Donations can also be made in his memory to Carrollton First Methodist Church, 206 Newnan Street, Carrollton Georgia, 30117.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Taylor Gordon and Dr. Christopher Arant for their many years of wonderful care, as well as extra special thanks to the extraordinarily caring, attentive nursing staff at Tanner Medical Center and Tanner Hospice.

Messages of condolence may be expressed to the family online at www.almonfuneralhome.com

Almon Funeral Home of Carrollton has charge of arrangements.