Ronnie Ray McClelland, 81, of Port Arthur, TX, died Thursday, February 25, 2016 at his home, surrounded by family.

He was born on December 25, 1934, in Henderson, TX to William Henry and Doris (Louvier) McClelland and received all his education in Port Arthur Schools, graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1953.  He enjoyed working on his class reunions.  He was an avid fisherman and duck hunter.  He was a former member of North Port Arthur Rotary Club and 11- year member of the Pleasure Island Planning Commission.  He was a member of First Baptist Church of Port Arthur where he was a deacon and very active on several committees. 

Ronnie spent most of his working years in the automobile parts departments of the local car dealerships.  He owned and operated Ronnie’s Auto & Paint Supply Co. on Gulfway Drive before his retirement in 1991.  Since then, he has enjoyed being an artist and depicting various historical scenes around the area on paper and on afghans, and the restoration of his beloved “Ruby,” a 1946 Ford Coupe. 

Ronnie was predeceased by his parents and older brother, Kenneth Hooper.  He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Bonnie Nadine (Searcy) McClelland, daughter Connie Ann (McClelland) Schneider and husband John, of Waxahachie, TX, son Michael Ray McClelland, Sr. and wife Amy, twin grandchildren Michela Laura McClelland and Michael Ray McClelland Jr., of Tallahassee, FL, and brother Capt. Jerry McClelland, USN Retired, of San Diego, CA.  He will be missed by his furry companion, Simba and 9 grandpets. 

A visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at Levingston Funeral Home in Groves followed by the funeral service at 2:30 p.m., with Dr. Jim Hamilton, pastor of First Baptist Church of Port Arthur officiating.  Burial will be at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches.