Lyn McClellan, a native of Gruver, was born on July 9, 1946, three days after President George W. Bush's birthday. As Lyn liked to tell it, "that shows you what three days head start" will do for you. He is the son of the late Ted and Charlene McClellan of Gruver.

Lyn graduated from Gruver High School in 1964, and then went on to college at Texas Tech University, where he was active in "Saddle Tramps", Tech's school spirit organization. In the summer of 1967, Lyn was honored to serve in Washington, D.C. as a congressional intern for the late Bob Price (R) of Pampa.

Lyn graduated in 1969 with a degree in Government from Tech, and then attended graduate school, also at Tech, where he received an MBA in Accounting in 1972. After graduation he moved to Houston, and while working with Ernst and Ernst, a public accounting firm, he was licensed as a CPA in 1973.

Lyn would tell you that one of the best decisions he ever made was marrying his wife Nell Conner, who he met at Texas Tech University. They married in Lubbock, Texas on July 20, 1974.

For 6 years Lyn worked in accounting, but what he really wanted to do was argue for a living, and being a CPA didn't quite fit into that plan. In 1978, on the way back from San Antonio after a Toastmasters Speech competition, Lyn credits his wife, Nell, with pointing out that if he truly believed his own words, "we can all accomplish anything we set our minds to," he would follow his dream to become a lawyer. This conversation was a turning point in his life and one he would forever be grateful to Nell for.

One year later, Lyn entered law school at South Texas College of Law. In March of that same year, Nell gave birth to their first child Mary Katherine. In 1981 Lyn graduated with his law degree after winning the Texas State Bar Moot Court Competition for South Texas College of Law for the first time in the school's history. In December,1981, another addition was added to the family, George Charles.

On August 24,1981 Lyn became an Assistant District Attorney for the Harris County District Attorney's Office in Houston. In 1983, Lyn became the Chief of the 232nd District Court. In that same year his last child James "Bryan" McClellan was born. Lyn served at the District Attorney's Office for 28 years, where he made some of the closest and most impactful friendships of his life. To say he loved his time working at the District Attorney's Office would be an understatement; he often said, "I can't believe they pay me to do this job." Lyn tried over a hundred felony jury trials, including more than 30 Capital murder cases. Some of the cases Lyn handled have had nationwide notoriety. He has been featured on the news, in the paper, on several true crime TV shows, and in quite a few novels for his contribution to the prosecution of crimes in Texas.

After Lyn surrendered his life to serving God and helping others, he found a better way to serve as a district attorney, as a husband, and as a community member. It became abundantly clear to him that man cannot change those who have selected a life of crime; only God can do that. According to Lyn, the results he experienced working through God with inmates during his time at the Eastham Prison Unit ministry program had been miraculous, and he felt as blessed as they did in the experience.

Lyn was proud to tell anyone who would listen about his faith. He was awarded Deacon Emeritus at Champions Forest Church and one of his greatest joys was helping others as God's servant. He led a bible study group that brought him a sense of community, great joy, and added purpose. He often talked about his church group and how grateful he and Nell have been to share in their lives.

Lyn's life was full of blessings, from "never having worked a day in his life", to his faith, as well as his family and friends that he valued so much. His advice to each of us would be to go out and do something you love, to cherish and honor God and his teachings, and to never ask permission to do what you know is right.

Lyn is survived by his wife Nell, his three children Mary, George and Bryan, and his grandchildren Lillian, Ella and Paige. He was preceded in death by his sister, Kay, and his parents Ted and Charlene McClellan.