Timothy ‘Tim’ McClanahan, dedicated to public service
Timothy “Tim” Joseph McClanahan passed away Monday, July 11, 2016, following a rescue training accident. He was training to do what he loved most, protect and serve our community.
Tim was born June 29, 1970, at Sibley Hospital in Washington, D.C., son of Robert Michael and Rita (McCabe) McClanahan. He and his family lived in Vienna, Va., until 1986 when they moved to Lewes. Tim graduated from Cape Henlopen High School with the Class of 1988 and then continued his studies at Delaware Technical Community College.
Tim was a master of many trades and worked at several local businesses in his life: Best ACE Hardware, Rehoboth Beach Police Department, Grand Rental Station, North American Homes, Snap-on Tools, Snookies Speed Parts, Schagrin Gas, WMF Watersports, the Delaware State Fire Marshal's Office, Priority One Air Rescue, Baker’s Petroleum, Delaware State Fire School, and Bay Shore Small Engine Repairs with his father.
Tim could fix absolutely anything. He was the youngest Briggs and Stratton certified master mechanic in Delaware, and could tune a small engine only by its sound. Tim was also an exemplary teacher. He was patient and understanding and could explain the smallest details with ease.
Tim started his lifelong dedication to emergency service in 1991. He was a past member of Milton and Rehoboth Beach fire departments and a current member of the Lewes Fire Department where he reached the rank of assistant chief. He had a true passion for rescue. Tim joined DART (Delaware Air Rescue Team) in 2010, a partnership with the Delaware State Police. DART is an exclusive and highly trained group of men dedicatd to responding to emergencies across the state. He led the Build the Boat Campaign in 2008 which resulted in a state-of-the-art Lewes fire boat, a vessel he designed. Tim was instrumental in the development of the Lewes Fire Deparment water rescue program. He was a highly decorated and hardworking fire fighter dedicated to the mission of public safety. Tim will be hard to replace.
Tim was a loving, compassionate and dedicated father, a caring son, fiancé, brother, uncle and friend who will be dearly missed by all who knew him. He never met a stranger.
Tim is survived by his parents, Mike and Rita M. McClanahan; his loving fiancée, Kim Holler-Baker; his son, Brenden Joseph McClanahan; his daughter, Mollie Anne McClanahan; two brothers, Sean McClanahan and his wife Pam of Lewes, and Brion McClanahan and his wife Samantha of Phenix City, Ala.; and a large extended family of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Funeral Services will be held Sunday, July 17, at 3 p.m., at Cape Henlopen High School Auditorium, 1250 Kings Hwy., Lewes. Final Fireman's Honors will be held immediately following funeral services.
Public viewings will be held Saturday, July 16, from 6 to 9 p.m., at Parsell Funeral Homes, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, and again Sunday, July 17, from noon to 3 p.m., at Cape Henlopen High School.
Memorial Contributions may be made in Mr. McClanhahan's name to the Lewes Fire Department, P.O. Box 225, Lewes, DE 19958.
Please visit Tim's Life Memorial Tribute Webpage and sign his online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
