Greg Mcclary

Greg McClary was a man who always faced the music in life. He was a hardworking, caring man, responsible and dependable as the day is long. Greg had a great, lifelong love for music, a love he shared with all those around him. He was a loving husband, father, son and friend, a good man, and a better example. Gregs story began on a cool fall day in 1956, as the pumpkins were being carved in Munising, Michigan. Those were tumultuous times around the globe, as America battled the Cold War, the Red Scare, and entered the Nuclear Age, as well. On October 28, 1956, Sonny and Charlotte (Barker) McClary celebrated the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Greg. Greg was the middle of three kids in the familys home, stuck between his big sister Jaci and his little sister Colleen. His dad was a hardworking lumberjack, while his mother cared for the kids and the home. When Greg was just five years old, the family packed up and headed south, moving to Muskegon, Michigan, where their extended family resided, and where there were better opportunities. Greg found his first true love there, when he discovered cars. He loved cars, everything about them, and as he got older, he learned how to supe them up, making them go as fast as he could. He had several hot rods over the years, with his Ford Mustang and his Plymouth Road Runner were two of the most memorable, and two of the fastest. Greg attended Muskegon Reeths-Puffer Schools, but eventually quit school to pursue his other interests. He eventually went back and earned his GED, when he was 30 years old because he wanted to be able to get a better job for his new family. Greg did vocational training for auto body work for awhile, but he mostly used the training for his own personal use. Greg worked a variety of factory jobs for awhile, before going to work for I.V.C. Industrial Coatings in Grand Haven. He worked as an Extruder operator, a position he held for 11 years. Gregs personal life was even more rewarding for him. When he was 25 years old, he met a wonderful young woman named Laura Venne, while they were at a mutual friends apartment. The sparks flew between the two, and by the end of the evening, they had plans to go on their first date to a Judas Priest concert! Greg was a huge music fan of all kinds, especially rock and roll and Laura loved it, too, one of the many things they shared in common. The two went to several more concerts when they were dating, and quickly fell in love. The happy couple was married on July 30, 1983, beginning a wonderful life together. It wasnt long before the newlyweds became parents, as well. Their son Jeremy joined the family in the summer of 1985, and their son Corey rounded out the family after that. Greg was a great husband and father, who was very involved in his sons lives growing up. He was incredibly proud and supportive of the boys in their Cub Scouts, football teams, choir, and especially, their musical endeavors. Greg shared his love for music early and often with the boys, and even took Jeremy to his first concert when he was 10 Ozzy Osbourne! Greg and Laura also bought Jeremy a guitar as a boy, and he eventually formed his own band. Corey got a guitar, too, with hopes of forming his own band someday. Of course, Gregs love for music remained strong his whole life, and his collection of CDs was huge, varied, and impressive. He always had to have the finest sound system, a perfectionist in everything he ever did. The family did much together over the years, especially their many camping trips together up north. They started with tents, then a pop-up, and finally a motor home. Greg was an outdoorsman at heart, and enjoyed hunting and fishing with his own dad, his sons and his friends. He wasnt the most successful deer hunter, but he loved the camaraderie and being out in the woods. Greg was always the chef on their trips, too. He loved food, and loved preparing it, a real Grill Master who enjoyed trying different things. Being a good Irishman, St. Patricks Day was a special holiday for him, when hed make the traditional beef brisket minus the cabbage, which he had so much in his youth he got sick of it. Greg had other interests of his own, from bowling, to going to the casino, to traveling. He and Laura traveled some over the years, including an incredible trip to Miami and the Florida Keys, where they dreamed of retiring to someday and talked about often. Greg loved flying, too, and always wished he could have done it more often. Most of all, Greg loved his family, who were always first in his life. When Jeremy got married and out on his own, Greg generously helped him by helping with their move, buying furniture, and supplying them with anything that was needed. That was just Greg, though, a tireless worker, who would do anything for anyone close to him. Sadly, Greg died very unexpectedly on Friday, March 28, 2008 at Hackley Hospital. He was 51. Greg was a wonderful man, a hardworking husband, father, son and friend. He was always willing to face the music in life, a dependable, responsible man who devoted his life to caring for those around him. Greg was taken too soon, but his life was a great gift to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed. Greg is survived by his wife, Laura; 2 sons, Jeremy (Beth) McClary of Muskegon & Corey McClary at home; mother, Charlotte McClary of Twin Lake; 2 sisters, Jaci (Mike) Mudge of Shelby & Colleen (Jim) Roberts of Ithaca, MI; 2 sisters-in-law, Peggy (John) Wheeler of Marion, MI & Cheryl Hilton of North Muskegon; brother-in-law, Louis (Terry) Venne of Muskegon & several nieces & nephews. Preceded in death by his father in 2005 & brother-in-law Kelly Hilton in March 2008. Services are scheduled for Wednesday, April 2, 2008, 2:00 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon with Rev. Ben Jansen officiating. Visitation is Wednesday, 1-2 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or sign the online guest book.