Nickolas D. McClellan
Sept. 6, 1943 - Feb. 21, 2009 | | March 05, 2009 08:58
Nickolas Donald McClellan passed away peacefully on the afternoon of Feb. 21, 2009, in the company of his family following a lengthy battle with cancer. Born Sept. 6, 1943, he was 65 years old.
He leaves behind his wife, Mia, children Aaron and Katharine, daughter-in-law Kyri, grandson Mason, sister Noellan (Bickham) and innumerable family and friends. He had lived in Davis for more than 31 years.
Born in Oakland, Nick grew up in challenging circumstances, leaving home at age 16. He graduated from Oakland Tech [sic] High School, and earned a B.A. and M.S. in English literature from Hayward State University. He was a union man and Teamster for 20 years with Lucky Stores before embarking on a second career as a teacher at Winters High School, where he taught English and British literature, debate and drama. He was also faculty adviser to the school's Academic Decathlon Team.
He was a frequent speaker and sponsor on behalf of Alcoholics Anonymous, an organization he had been closely involved with for 25 years, and which he credited with having saved his life and led him to spiritual purpose.
Nick was passionate about his family, and loved spending time with his children, whether in support of their athletic endeavors, hiking, fishing, camping or skiing. He enjoyed restoring classic Chevrolet, Porsche, VW camper and BMW automobiles. He was also an amateur actor, occasionally appearing in Winters Community Theatre productions. He had a great sense of humor and a love of laughter. He will be greatly missed, but his memory will always bring a smile to our faces.
Friends are invited to attend a memorial celebration at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 15, at the Veterans' Memorial Center, 203 E.14th St., in Davis. An annual scholarship fund has been established in his memory at Winters High School. Donations in memory may be sent in lieu of flowers to the Nick 'Mr. Mac' McClellan Memorial Fund, c/o Winters High School, 101 Grant Ave., Winters, CA. 95694 or to a charity of the donor's choice.
