Harvey Stanley "Stan" McClain

Evans Funeral Home of Jefferson announces the death of Mr. Harvey Stanley “Stan” McClain, age 78, of Jefferson, Georgia who entered rest Tuesday, January 23, 2024. Mr. McClain was born in Miami, Florida the son of the late Edwin Paul McClain, Sr and the late Doris Pellett McClain. In addition to his parents, he was preceded by his first wife, Hazel McColm McClain, sister, Madeline Groves and a brother, Edwin Paul McClain, Jr.

Stan was born two weeks before Christmas in Miami, FL. Twelve days after graduating from Miami-Jackson High School, at the ripe old age of 17, he joined the Army, where he served as a Soldier and Radar Repairman. Upon his return from service, he was employed by National Airlines as an Electronics Technician. While there he earned his Associate in Science degree in Career Piloting. He then began his 33 year career with the Federal Aviation Administration in Air Traffic Control Management.  He was a Controller in the Miami Center, as well as an Evaluator/Instructor, Supervisor, and Public Information Officer. During his time in south Florida, he also worked full time through the strike of 1981 and earned his Bachelor of Science in  Aviation Management from Pacific–Western University. He was also a Licensed Florida Building Contractor and co-operated a successful construction and remodeling company with his brother. He also had the pleasure of flying for the Metro Traffic patrol. In September of 1988, as his career advanced, the family moved to Georgia where Stan was an Operations Specialist in Labor Relations at the Regional Headquarters in Atlanta. He also spent nearly two years detailed to Washington HQ in DC. As his career continued to advance, he served as Air Traffic Manager Salt Lake enRoute Center (1995-1999), Air Traffic Manager at Washington Dulles Airport, and Air Traffic Manager for Washington Center (2000-2004). He was privileged to be the FAA liaison to NORAD Command Center at Cheyenne Mountain, CO. He was also called to participate in disaster emergency teams for Hurricanes Hugo and Andrew. He was working at the FAA Washington HQ during 9/11 and was instrumental in the Administrations efforts of protecting our country when the attacks occurred. Ulimately, he retired from the FAA in 2004 as the Tower Chief of Washington Dulles Airport, and in July that year, he and Hazel moved back to Georgia. He became an avid golfer, was a Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief volunteer, served as a Gideon for many years, oversaw construction projects and repairs of the First Baptist Church of Jefferson, and proudly served as Chairman of the Jackson County Airport Authority, where he was also instrumental in the design and planning of the new terminal there. He worked tirelessly to support the family he loved fiercely and would do anything and everything in his power to support them, regardless of the cost. His grandchildren were the “apple(s) of his eye" and he would stop at nothing to see them as often as he could. Most importantly of all, though, he was a faithful servant of our Heavenly Father and devoted his time and giving spirit through his role as a Deacon.  He currently held membership at Calvary Baptist Statham. Without any uncertainty, we know the Lord welcomed him into Heaven, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant,” and because of Daddy, we that are left know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we will be reunited with him again one day there!

Survivors include his wife, Deborah M. McClain of Jefferson, GA. Daughter, Cheri Morgan (Mark) of Fayetteville, GA. Son, Cory McClain of Darden, TN. Two grandchildren, McKenzie and Liam Morgan.

A celebration of life service will be held 1:30 P.M. Sunday January 28, 2024 at Calvary Baptist Church with Reverend Matt Dibler and Mr. Melvin Porter officiating. Military honors will be given by the United States Army Honor Guard. The family will receive friends after the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to, Calvary Batist Church Missions Field 1975 GA-82, Statham, GA 30666 or Wounded Warrior Project, woundedwarriorproject.org.

Evans Funeral Home, Inc., 1350 Winder Highway, Jefferson, Georgia.  706-367-5467      

Online condolences at www.evansfuneralhomeinc.com