Service measured not by GOLD,
                           but by the GOLDEN RULE

Service measured not by GOLD,
          but by the GOLDEN RULE

330.262.7771

Harry Spencer McClarran 76, a lifelong resident of Wooster Ohio answered the call “Well done, thou good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:21) and passed away on October 17, 2024 at Smithville Western Care Center. He was born in Wooster Ohio to Mary Corwin (McClarran) and George McClarran on April 18, 1948 and had two brothers Jack, and John. All of whom preceded him. Harry married Carol Lozier in 1976 and she passed in 2000. He married Susan Schafer (McClarran) in 2007 she survives along with two adopted children from his first marriage. As well as several children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Harry graduated from Wooster High School in 1966 and Salem college in 1970. He earned his master’s degree in history from Marshall University in 1971. While at Marshall in 1970 he assisted the football team as a trainer. This is the same team that suffered a tragic loss of life of coaches and players in a plane crash as depicted in the movie “We are Marshall”.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian church and employed by the City of Wooster as an operator with the water pollution control plant for 30 years. In the late 90’s he was forced to retire because of a vision disability being legally blind.

Harry was very proud of his masonic memberships. He was a member of Ebenezer #33, Wooster Chapter #27, Wooster Council #13, and Wooster Commandry #48. All of which he was a 50-year member. He held memberships in Shannon Council and Crawford Council Knight Masons. He was a past master of Ebenezer #33 and served several times as High Priest of Wooster Chapter #27 and served many years as an officer of Wooster Council #13. Among some of his masonic achievements was that he served for 50-years as an officer of Wooster Chapter #27. He was also admitted into the Apollo Dramatic Chapter which very few people receive that honor in the state. He received the distinguished service award from grand chapter and was presented the award by the grand high priest.

Harry spent his entire life as an avid historian. He was well known for his knowledge of the Civil War, Chataqua, and Wooster history among many other subjects dealing with history. He was declared the “Official City of Wooster Historian” by former mayor Jamie Howey and is the only person to receive that tittle in Wooster’s history He spent his years in his free time doing what he loved most, pursuing history which he had done all his life and helping local students. One of those students choose to honor Harry during the student’s eagle court of honor for the boy scouts. Harry was presented the students eagle scout golden mentor pin from the student for his assistance in schoolwork and the boy scouts. Harry spent decades working on a project to have a pictorial history of Wooster that he started in the 1960’s. He eventually finished that project with the assistance of Kathleen Stermer and published the book “A Glimpse from the Front Porch and a Bridge to the Past: A Photographic History of Wooster Ohio 1808-2008”. This was an incredible accomplishment considering he was legally blind at the time of its creation.

At his request there will be no calling hours. Masonic services will be held at noon October 23, 2024 at McIntire, Bradham & Sleek 216 E. Larwill Wooster Ohio. Interment will follow afterword at Wooster Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wayne County Historical Society 546 E Bowman St, Wooster or to the Ohio Masonic Home Springfield Ohio.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com.

14 Comments

  1. We love you I’m so sorry and we are his family too much love

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  2. I’m sorry to hear if Harry’s passing. Years ago, when I worked on the Society’s newsletter, we would have long conversations into the night. He was a wealth of information! And if I brought up a new topic, the next time I saw him he would hand me pages and pages of his writings and clippings on the topic. He was very generous with sharing what he knew. He will be missed.

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  3. Harry will be sorely missed and was an asset to all in the community.
    -Robert Boyer

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  4. Harry was a constant source of information during the years I wrote The Daily Record’s “Bits and Pieces” column. He had a fantastic memory and loved to share all he knew about the history of Wooster.

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  5. I had the honor of working with Spencer at the City of Wooster Water Pollution Control Plant for a number of years until he retired.

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  6. I’ve known Harry for more than 26 years. He was always very knowledgeable about local history and was often our go to person. If you had the time and the desire to listen to local history, Harry was the person to spend time with. He was always willing to share his knowledge. His passing will leave a huge hole in the community. He will be missed by all.

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  7. My most recent contact with Spence was to bring him Meals on Wheels. He usually came out to greet me and we would chat or a while, or a long while! And I got to see him at class reunions. Rest in peace, friend.

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  8. I grew up in the neighborhood, where Spencer lived. He was always kind, and sometimes walked to school with us. Occasionally, during the summer, he would venture to the nearby neighborhood street, where everyone seemed to gather in the evenings, and chat with us. He accomplished a lot in his lifetime, even with limited vision. Be in peace.

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  9. Sorry to hear this, I enjoyed working with Spence at the treatment plant “back in the day” and he was always willing to share his knowledge. Always enjoyed his stories about the history of Wooster.

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  10. Sympathy and prayers for Spence’s family. So sorry to hear of his passing. He was a good friend. We had many hours long conversations on the history of Wooster. Will miss him and his yearly Christmas letter. Thanks Spence for your friendship. Fly high.

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  11. My Uncle Harry was quite an amazing human being. I am beyond thankful and blessed he has passed down so many of our families written history and archives to me over the years. I will cherish them always. He worked diligently getting my Dad (his brother Jack) inducted into the Wooster Sports Hall of Fame several years ago and it was an honor to attend the ceremony. It was quite an accomplishment because of his limited vision. I too will miss the Christmas letters as well as his kind and gentle spirit. I am so glad he is with his father, Granny, Uncle John and my Dad. Until we meet again, rest in paradise.

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  12. Harry was my incredibly caring brother-in-law. I married his oldest brother, John. Harry was the bond that kept the family informed on everyone’s activities. His Christmas letters were the first to arrive filled with news. It also served as a notice that it was time to get ready for Christmas. We are proud of Harry’s many accomplishments. He was amazing and met the challenges of being blind with great strength and perseverance. I am sure that he was met at Heaven’s gates by God and all the family members before him with open arms, but he will be missed by those left behind.

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  13. Sue, So very sorry for your loss.

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  14. I am very sorry to learn of Harry’s passing. We are cousins through the McClarran (Clan U) side of the family. I always enjoyed my conversations with Harry. Prayers for the family.

    Reply

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