| Sources |
- [S104] Cocke County, Tennessee, and its People, Cocke County Heritage Book Committee, (Walsworth Publishing, 1992), 69.
- [S113] Manes Funeral Home, (http://www.manesfuneralhome.com), 19 Jul 2013.
(February 16, 1941 - July 19, 2013)
Roger McClanahan, age 72, of Newport, passed away suddenly on Friday, July 19, 2013. Roger was known and loved by all those who knew and loved him because he never met a stranger. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of more than 30 years, Rhonda N. McClanahan; parents, Ira and Florence McClanahan; brothers, Gallie and Virgil McClanahan; and sister Ruth Church. He is survived by his children, Roger (Lee) McClanahan, II, Becky Morgan and husband John, Tracy McClanahan Justus; sisters, Phyllis (Ed) Wampler and Juanita Rowe; brother, Herman (Sue) McClanahan; brothers-in-law, Jeff (Susan) Cooper, Tyrone (Karen) Cooper, Todd (Becky) Cooper; also other special family members Carolyn Snapp, Peachie Cody, Donnie (Betty) Williamson and Jack Williamson. There will be a celebration of life from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm Monday, July 22, 2013 at Wilsonville Baptist Church. Please come prepared to share your stories and memories of Roger with his family and friends. The family request that you come and be comfortable. Roger would say causal. Family and friends may sign the guest register on line at: www.manesfuneralhome.com. Manes Funeral Home in charge.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 23 Jul 2013.
Circuit Court bailiff Roger McClanahan dies suddenly
Author: Duay O'Neil
NEWPORT-Hundreds of friends joined the family of Roger McClanahan, Circuit Court bailiff, at Wilsonville Baptist Church to celebrate the life of the popular courthouse figure who died suddenly Friday morning of an apparent heart attack at his home.
Court officials became concerned Friday when McClanahan failed to report for work, and sheriff's deputy was sent to his home.
McClanahan, 72, had been employed by the Circuit Court for over four years, starting during the tenure of former Sheriff Claude Strange.
"Roger will truly, truly be missed," said Circuit Court Clerk Peggy Lane early Monday morning. "He took care of everything, anything that needed to be done.
"He always had all our paperwork, books, and files in place for court," she continued, "both for me and for the judge. He also took care of the jury. He accompanied the jury to and from their room and stayed with them during their deliberations. He set up transportation for the jury. All you had to do was ask, and Roger would take care of everything."
“He also took care of Child Support court for Judge Luanne Ballew,” added Lane. “She said she always felt well protected with him in the court. Again, he will truly be missed by all of us.”
One of seven children, McClanahan was born in Grundy, Virginia, a son of Ira and Florence McClanahan.
His sisters, Phyllis Wampler and Juanita Rowe said, because of their large family, their father was assigned to duty at Newport News, Virginia’s ship building and dry dock operations during World War II.
After the war, the family returned to Grundy, where the elder McClanahan opened a machine shop. Later, concerned after seeing a pony being used in mining operations nearby, he designed a motorized way to transport coal from the mines, which he traded to the company for the pony.
“Roger loved that pony,” they laughed, “and rode it until his feet dragged the ground.”
“He was always so funny, just a little imp,” they continued. “In first grade, he was so excited to enter school, but suddenly didn’t want to go any more. He had to be spanked to get on the bus, and then spanked again to get off the bus.”
“We found out later he had become afraid to go to school, because the teacher made boys who got into trouble put on a dress,” they explained.
Following his graduation from Grundy High School, McClanahan attended East Tennessee State University for two years, and then entered the United States Army.
“He was a military policeman stationed at the arsenal in Washington, D. C.,” said his sisters.
McClanahan moved to Cocke County in the early 1970s. Over the years, he worked at various jobs, including driving a truck for Levi Strauss, as a salesman at Volunteer Chevrolet, and managing the local bowling alley.
“He kept trying to retire,” said his sisters, who spoke of his love for children.
“Recently he had enjoyed helping a disabled child learn to bowl and had bowled Wednesday night,” they said.
An avid fisherman, McClanahan enjoyed both lake and deep sea fishing. “He always shared his catches with us,” said Lane, “bringing the fish already filleted and ready to go. He hosted ? sh fries at his home, too.”
In addition to his sisters, McClanahan is survived by two daughters, one son, and a brother.
Manes Funeral Home handled the McClanahan arrangements.
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1941 - 2013 (72 years)