John L. McClish, Jr.

(September 3, 1920 ~ Decenber 9, 2009)

John, son of John L. McClish, Sr. and Beatrice Bolinger, married Ruth Jeanne Pierce and buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Glendale, Los Angeles County, California.

McClish, John L.
September 3, 1920 - December 9, 2009

Carmel, California - John L. McClish passed away at his home on December 9, 2009 at the age of 89.
John was born in Tolar, Texas on September 3, 1920. He was the sixth of seven children (4 girls and 3 boys) born by his mother and thirteenth of fourteen children (8 girls and 6 boys) by his Father.

He grew up on a farm about 20 miles south of Abilene, Texas. He first came to California in 1937 but returned to Texas after only four months because his Father died. He returned to California in 1939 with his Mother and younger sister. He then joined the Army Air Corp and served for six years, three of them overseas during World War II. He returned to California in 1945 after being discharged from the service. He settled in Beverly Hills.

In April 1946 he started his career in the food business as a stock man at Better Foods Market. It was at that store he met and married his wife, Ruth. They were married on August 31, 1947. John worked his way up to Assistant Manager at Better Foods. In early 1948 he left Better Foods and went to work at Jim Dandy Markets as Store Manager. In 1949 they bought their first home in Downey and had their first daughter Jeannee. In 1952 Jim Dandy Markets merged with Dollar Markets and he was promoted to Head Buyer for Groceries and Liquor. In 1953 they had their second daughter, Cheryl.

In 1957 Jim Dandy Markets was purchased by Lucky Stores. John spent 34 years with them. He loved his work and he had a very successful career there. He retired in January 1982 as Director of Grocery Buying and VP of the Southern Food Division. He continued working in the food brokerage business part time for Horn and Associates until 1995.

John was blessed with a wonderful family. Besides travel and sports his family and church were his hobbies. The family enjoyed many wonderful vacations together and special times. He and Ruth traveled to over forty foreign countries.

In 1986 John and Ruth moved to Carmel. Ca into the home they built. Since that time they have been growing old together. John is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ruth; his daughters, Jeannee and Cheryl; son-in-law, Bill; three grandchildren, George and his wife Jeneen, Cassandra and Johnny, and three great grandchildren Allison, Audrey and Aimee.

A celebration of John's life will be held in Southern California in early 2010.

Please make any donations to the American Lung Association or the Arthritis Foundation .