Tommy McClanahan 02/06/1931 - 05/15/2024
Obituary
Tom McClanahan, Age 93, of Beckley, West Virginia passed away on May 15, 2024. Tom was born on February 6, 1931 in West Virginia to Cora May [nee] Goins and Okie Campbell McClanahan. Tom was born and raised on Backus Mountain. He was proud to join the Army and serve his country in the Korean War. He married his wife Elsa Marie Ramsey in 1954 and eventually they settled in Lake Forest, IL. Tom and Elsa worked together to start a steel processing center in 1974 which they expanded to include a tube mill in Beckley. Elsa worked by his side until her death from breast cancer in 2004 a few months away from their 50th anniversary. Tom was an avid hunter and fisherman. His love of West Virginia never ceased. Tom and Elsa returned to West Virginia frequently and threw some very memorable reunions. They purchased a “farm” in Danese where Tom spent his final hours doing what he loved, hunting. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife, Elsa Marie [nee] Ramsey, and his beloved granddaughter, Megan Candice Grace. Tom is survived by his daughter, Marilyn Marie Grace and husband Tim of Antioch, Illinois, his grandson, Jeremy Grace and wife Kristen, great-grandchildren, Zoe Grace and Paxton Grace all of Grafton, Wisconsin and his sister, Ginger Collins of Ripley, West Virginia. Tom leaves behind many loving family members and cherished friends. The family would like to thank Richard Evans for his unwavering friendship and love to Tom over many years – an incredible friend - with him to the end. And to the caregivers who provided Tom compassion and grace. A visitation will be held on May 22, 2024, at 12:00 pm with a service to follow at 1:00 pm at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C Byrd Drive, Beckley, WV 25801. A Christian Burial will follow at Ennis Cemetery in Meadow Bridge, West Virginia on Backus Mountain Road. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Beckley Dream Center – Fishes and Loaves 224 Pinewood Drive, Beckley, WV 25801. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
