Norman Leroy McClellan

Norman Leroy McClellan returned home to his loving Heavenly Father on Saturday, July 26, 2025. A funeral service will be held in his honor on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse located at 1650 South 200 East in Orem, Utah. A viewing will precede the service from 9:30 to 10:30. Norman’s burial will be on Monday, August 4, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in the Orem City Cemetery, 1520 North 800 East.

Norman is preceded in death by his parents: Ross and Margaret McClellan, his parents-in-law: Seth and Lora Asay, siblings Delna Beecroft and Sheldon McClellan, and grandson Joshua Kerby.

He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Rebecca Lynn McClellan of Orem, UT; his 11 children and their spouses: Lindy Kerby of South Jordan, UT; MaeLyn (Steven) Hiatt of Thornton, CO; Tayson McClellan of Liberty, MO; Kristy (Michael) Brown of Smithville, MO; LiaMarie (Ryan) Betts of Spanish Fork, UT; Amber (Scott) Bryson of Orem, UT; Joel (Liezl) McClellan of San Antonio, TX; Heather (Tejay) Cardon of Smithville, MO; April (Dean) Dawes of Virginia Beach, VA; Heidi (Ammon) Smart of Burlington, WI; and Haru (Jennifer) Phoenix of Bentonville, AR; as well as 42 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren; and siblings and their spouses: Norene (Tom) Green; Sharlene (Brent) Gardner.

Norman was born December 19, 1947, to D. Ross and Margaret McClellan in Hayward, California. In 1961, at the age of 13, Norman’s parents were called on a Building Construction Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to South America. Norman and his family spent the next two years living in Montevideo, Uruguay, and exploring much of South America. It was here that Norman developed many passions that would carry on for the rest of his life, including his love of service, missionary work, and playing the guitar.

In 1963, Norman’s parents were released from their calling, and the family returned home to California for the remaining years of Norman’s high school education, where he excelled in the Math Club and enjoyed running cross country. After graduating from high school in 1965, Norman attended Brigham Young University for a short time before receiving his own mission call to Cordoba, Argentina. Following a faithful two-year mission, Norman returned to BYU, where he would receive his degree in Computer Science before entering the graduate program in Compiler Theory. While attending the university, Norman took up the hobby of square-dancing and became president of the BYU square-dancing club. It was there that he first met the love of his life and eternal companion, Becky.

The relationship matured quickly, and the couple soon found themselves engaged. Norman and Becky were married for time and all eternity in the Provo, Utah, Temple on July 21, 1972. The two settled in Provo for a short time, where they would welcome their first child, Lindy. Norman then accepted a job offer in California with Burroughs Corporation (which would later become Unisys), where he would continue to work for the majority of his life. The family moved from Provo to Goleta, California, where they would welcome 7 more children: MaeLyn, Jarom (Tayson), Kristy, LiaMarie, Amber, Joel, and Heather. In time, Norman would accept a transfer at work, and the family would then move to Mission Viejo, California. While in Mission Viejo, the family welcomed their final 3 children: April, Heidi, and Daniel (Haru). After 18 years in Mission Viejo, the opportunity arose for Norman to take an early retirement, which allowed them the chance to relocate back to Utah to be closer to family. They found a home in Orem, Utah, where they have spent the last 19 years.

Norman, now with more free time on his hands than he had ever known before, found great passion in the service of the Lord. Norman especially took joy in family history and in the temple. Over the years, Norman was blessed to serve as an ordinance worker in many temples, including the San Diego, Newport Beach, Mount Timpanogos, Nauvoo, Buenos Aires, Quetzaltenango, Provo, and Orem temples. Norman and Becky also took the opportunity to serve together as senior missionaries for the church on a number of full-time missions: Nauvoo Temple Mission, Argentina Buenos Aires West Office Mission, Guatemala Quetzaltenango Guatemala Temple Mission, Utah Orem Member-Leadership Support Mission, and California Los Angeles Family History Library Mission. Following their missions, Norman and Rebecca were called to serve as assistant directors at the Sunset Heights Family Search Center in Orem, where Norman would serve faithfully until the final days of his life.

In the end, his greatest joys were found in the quiet strength of his faith and his sure testimony of the Savior, the deep love he had for his family, and the sacred peace he enjoyed in the House of the Lord. He lived with purpose, he served with humility, and he loved without condition. His legacy is one of devotion - to his loving Heavenly Father, to his faith that sustained him, to his loved ones, and to the covenants he held dear. Though he will be missed, we pray his example will continue to inspire all who knew him to live with greater faith, hope, kindness, and eternal perspective.

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