Obituary of Lee G. McClenny

FTCM (SS) Lee G. (Mac) McClenny, USN (ret.) of Summerville passed away at his home on September 20, 2017. Mac was born November 16, 1929 in Dothan, Alabama to Lee J. McLenny and Oma Woodham McClenny. He is survived by his wife Frances and his children Michael Driggers of Grover and Wendi Dion (Troy) of North Charleston, blended family members Cheryl Bonifay of Summerville, Steven Bonifay (Rosalyn). He is predeceased by his parents, his sister Grace O’Brien, brother Guy McClenny and Robert Bonifay Jr (Pamela). Mac grew up working the farms of rural Alabama during the Great Depression instilling in Mac a strong work ethic, selflessness, frugal practicality and the uncanny ability to find joy and humor in the simplest of things. Deciding that the life of a farmer was not his life’s ambition, Mac enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1947 and volunteered for the Silent Service aboard Submarines. During his 27 years in the Navy, Mac served in numerous capacities supporting the Occupation of Japan, Korea, Vietnam and the Cold War while simultaneously helping to usher in the era of the Nuclear Navy. He rose through the ranks to the highest enlisted grade of E9 and served as “Chief of the Boat” on the USS Theodore Roosevelt (SSBN-600). Once asked about all of his accomplishments in the Navy, Mac simply shrugged and said his priorities were to complete the mission, take care of his folks and do credit to the Navy. If he did that, figured everything else would work out. If Mac’s story ended there, he would rightfully be remembered as a true American hero, patriot and pioneer. He retired with little fanfare in 1975 to marry his wife Frances and settle down with her two young children, Michael and Wendi. He opened a tavern for a short time but ultimately decided to pursue more education, and later employed by Bosch Corp. As is true with many of his generation, Mac believed his true worth was derived from what he provided to others. He worked hard to provide for his family that seemed to extend to most of the neighborhood children as well. A trip for ice cream also meant a truck bed full of neighborhood kids. Many evenings were spent working on cars that belonged to aspiring hot rodders. Summer Saturdays often meant boat trips for the neighborhood teenagers. Corresponding Saturday evenings were spent scrubbing the boat of seagull droppings because those teenagers ignored his warnings about feeding the seagulls. Mac also spent a lot of time dispensing his wisdom to young people. Generally given in the form of constructive criticism, it was honest and unvarnished. Mac and Frances provided a safe environment for Michael, Wendi and their extended family to live, learn and laugh. Many people spend their lives building or shaping things that they are remembered by. Mac loved his boat. He loved working in his yard. Up until recently, he could often be found helping at Brecks restaurant. Mac was a worker until the end. Ultimately though, Mac shaped people. He didn’t care about ceremonies or accolades. As he said, he knew what he did and that’s all that was important. He doesn’t need a monument or a memorial because they are things that will eventually fade and be forgotten. Mac’s monument is the family and friends that he leaves behind. What he leaves behind won’t tarnish or fade and will remain in perpetuity. Frances and her family would like to thank the staff at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, Amedisys Hospice and Simplicity: Lowcountry Cremation & Burial Services, Inc. for their kindness and support. “Unto Almighty God we commend the soul of our shipmate departed. And we commit his body to the deep, in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection unto eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, when the sea shall give up her dead in the life of the world to come.” Arrangements were made by Simplicity: Lowcountry Cremation & Burial Services in Summerville, SC. There will be no public services held per Mac’s wishes.