Daniel Steven McClelland
June 2, 1949 – January 19, 2025

Dan was born at St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka to Kenneth Lindsey McClelland and Fannie Faye McClelland (nee: Gray). He was the second of three children with an older brother, Michael and younger sister, Pam.

Dan had an active and happy childhood in Loleta. Dan spent his days visiting his Grandma and neighbors, running around outside and raising animals. His childhood was filled with hunting and fishing with his family. Christmas Day was reserved for hunting. Dan spent summers at the Hough Ranch playing, later as he grew older, working.

Dan graduated from Fortuna High School in 1968 and then College of the Redwoods with an Associate Degree in General Education. During the summer breaks at college, Dan worked on a commercial tuna fishing boat.

During this time Dan and his family unexpectedly lost his mother, Faye. Years later, Dan’s father, Ken remarried, and Dan gained three stepsiblings, Cheryl, Karen, and Gary Battaglia.

After college, Dan joined the Mel Reese Construction crew. Eventually, Dan became a business owner himself, starting Dan McClelland Construction.

Dan met his lovely wife, Loene Gossett, while working backstage at the first Junior Miss Pageant put on by the Jaycees in Fortuna. She was the contestants’ choreographer. Their first date was at Parlato’s restaurant. Dan and Loene were married on July 2,1978 at the Fortuna United Methodist Church.

Dan became close to his in-laws, Gwen and Ernie Gossett. Frequently visiting with them after work to have coffee, and play cards while Loene was teaching dance or at rehearsals with the Redwood Concert Ballet. Sunday family dinners were a regular occurrence. Ernie introduced Dan to the Masonic Lodge which became an important pillar in Dan’s life dedicating himself to the good works done with his brothers in the lodge. He was a multi-time past master, was awarded the Hiram Award, Mason of the Year twice and was a 32nd-degree Master Mason. In Scottish Rite he was elevated to Knights Commander of the Court of Honor. Dan treasured his brother Masons. The friendship and brotherhood they shared was a core of Dan’s daily life.

Dan and Loene were blessed with their son, Luke, in 1981 and daughter, Damaris, in 1985. Dan was active in his children’s lives. He was a Pack Leader and Boy Scout leader. He and Luke were honored with the Order of the Arrow while in Boy Scouts. They also participated in 50-miler hikes with the Boy Scouts. He took his Scouts to the beach and camping and would regale them with stories.

In the 1990s Loene convinced the family to go to the Jed Smith Mountain Men Tall Trees Rendezvous in Smith River.. This yearly camping excursion during the July 4th week invigorated Dan’s love of black powder shooting, but also included cast iron cooking, archery, and knife and hawk (tomahawk) throwing, amid this 1815-era mountain men’s gathering. The family went every year after that. Last July, their grandchildren and four other teens and young adults went.

When Lucas had children, Dan became “Poppy.” Dan loved being “Poppy” and was involved in his grandchildren’s lives.

He loved to cook and experiment in the kitchen, putting food together because it sounded good. He was also very artistic. He carved wooden sculptures and made beautiful wooden boxes and furniture.

Dan was an avid outdoorsman. He continued to hunt and fish throughout his life with many friends and family. Special thanks to Rex Hunt and family, Phil and Jay Grunert, Phil Acott who were deeply tied to his hunting and fishing and considered good friends. His Sunday Skeet Shoots with the Masons and his other friends and his puppy, Sophie, were weekly activities.

Every morning Dan would step outside the front door with his dog, soak up the morning sun, come in and say “Ah, Life is good!” with a smile on his face.

Dan is survived by his beloved wife, Loene Gossett, son Luke and partner, Alyssa Owens, his daughter Damaris and granddaughters, Michelle and Marine McClelland, sister and her husband Pam and Parviz Sadrian, sister and brother, Karen and Gary Battaglia, Brother-in-law and wife, Ernie and Bridget Gossett and their daughters, Denice Taylor, her husband Seth and their children, Nicole Robinson and her partner, Kurt Williams, nephews, Bob Lyness, Bob Angelini and wife, Terri and their family, nephew-in-law, Mike Flockhart and family, cousins Dennis and wife, Catherine, Rob and wife, Karen, and Marty McClelland, Kathy and husband, Dale Moore and their families.

Dan was preceded in death by his mother, Faye McClelland, father, Ken McClelland and brother, Mike McClelland, mother and father-in-law, Gwen and Ernie Gossett, sister, Cheryl Battaglia, and niece, Lynett Flockhart.

A memorial and celebration of life will be held on April 12, 2025, at 2 p.m. at the Fortuna United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to the Valley of Northern California Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center; C/O Eel River Empire Lodge #147 F&AM; PO Box 51; Fortuna CA 95540

Or

To the Redwood Shrine Club for Shriner’s Hospital Transportation Fund; 251 Bayside Rd; Arcata CA 95521

Or

To a favorite charity.

###

The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Dan McClelland’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.