A line of Lewes Fire Department officers and firefighters salute as the casket of Tim McClanahan is taken from the service at Cape Henlopen High School July 17 to a Lewes fire truck at the head of the funeral procession. The 46-year-old firefighter died July 11 during a training exercise when he fell from a Delaware State Police helicopter at Delaware Coastal Airport in Georgetown. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Firefighters pause to salute during a viewing prior to the July 17 mass at Cape Henlopen High School. Hundreds of firefighters stood in line for an hour to pay their final respects to Tim McClanahan. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
A colorguard leads the precessional from the school to a Lewes Fire Department truck. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Lewes fighters salute their fallen comrade in a long blue line outside Cape Henlopen High School. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Tim McClanahan’s diving/rescue apparatus and fire department suit stand in solemn tribute to the fallen Lewes volunteer fireman. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
The funeral procession moves along Savannah Road toward the Lewes Fire Department. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
The Lewes fire truck carrying the casket stops in front of Station 82 for the final call service. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Brenden and Mollie McClanahan accept their father’s flag and helmet during the final call ceremony at Lewes Fire Department Station 1.
Lewes firemen accompanying the casket are silhouetted against a bright blue sky. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Delaware State Police Honor Guard members fold the United States flag draping Tim McClanahan’s casket before presenting it to family members. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Lewes firefighters salute as the Delaware State Police Honor Guard folds the U.S. flag. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Glen Leudtke plays taps at the final call service in front of Station 82 on Savannah Road. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
The Lewes Fire Department fire rescue boat sprays a salute as the fire truck carrying Tim McClanahan’s casket rides over the Freeman bridge. DAN COOK PHOTO
The funeral procession heads up East Savannah Road toward the Lewes Fire House. DAN COOK PHOTO
The Delaware State Police helicopter flies low watching over the funeral procession. DAN COOK PHOTO
The truck carrying Tim McClanahan’s casket rides over the draw bridge to the fire house. DAN COOK PHOTO
Friends and family members accompany Tim McClanahan’s casket through the funeral procession. DAN COOK PHOTO
Memebrs of Station 82 and their families leave the fire trucks and walk toward the station for the final call service. DAN COOK PHOTO
Sean McClanahan talks about how his brother stressed teachable moments. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
The blue line of first responders stands at attention as Tim McClanahan’s casket is removed from Cape Henlopen High School. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Members of the Delaware State Police Honor Guard stand at attention as the funeral procession proceeds on Savannah Road toward Lewes Fire Department Station 1. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
With members of Station 82 in the background, the Delaware State Police Honor Guard folds the flag that draped Tim McClanahan’s casket. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
As the siren sounds for the final time, firefighters salute their fallen comrade. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Station 82 trucks are draped in black with flowers in memory of fallen firefighter Tim McClanahan. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Brion McClanahan talks about how his brother touched the lives of people in the area. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Brenden McClanahan, son of the fallen firefighter, reads a poem about going to sea. He said his favorite memories were times he spent with his dad on the Lewes fire boat. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
The Rev. William Cocco of St. Edmund Catholic Church prepares for communion during the funeral service. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Family members attend the final call ceremony in front of Station 82 following a funeral procession through Lewes. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
The Lewes Fire Department fire rescue boat sprays a salute. TJ REDEFER PHOTO
The funeral procession for Tim McClanahan heads over the Lewes Drawbridge. TJ REDEFER PHOTO
A rainbow is visible as the Lewes Fire Department fire rescue boat sprays a salute. TJ REDEFER PHOTO
A line of Lewes Fire Department officers and firefighters salute as the casket of Tim McClanahan is taken from the service at Cape Henlopen High School July 17 to a Lewes fire truck at the head of the funeral procession. The 46-year-old firefighter died July 11 during a training exercise when he fell from a Delaware State Police helicopter at Delaware Coastal Airport in Georgetown. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Firefighters pause to salute during a viewing prior to the July 17 mass at Cape Henlopen High School. Hundreds of firefighters stood in line for an hour to pay their final respects to Tim McClanahan. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
A colorguard leads the precessional from the school to a Lewes Fire Department truck. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Lewes fighters salute their fallen comrade in a long blue line outside Cape Henlopen High School. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Tim McClanahan’s diving/rescue apparatus and fire department suit stand in solemn tribute to the fallen Lewes volunteer fireman. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
The funeral procession moves along Savannah Road toward the Lewes Fire Department. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
The Lewes fire truck carrying the casket stops in front of Station 82 for the final call service. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Brenden and Mollie McClanahan accept their father’s flag and helmet during the final call ceremony at Lewes Fire Department Station 1.
Lewes firemen accompanying the casket are silhouetted against a bright blue sky. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Delaware State Police Honor Guard members fold the United States flag draping Tim McClanahan’s casket before presenting it to family members. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Lewes firefighters salute as the Delaware State Police Honor Guard folds the U.S. flag. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Glen Leudtke plays taps at the final call service in front of Station 82 on Savannah Road. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
The Lewes Fire Department fire rescue boat sprays a salute as the fire truck carrying Tim McClanahan’s casket rides over the Freeman bridge. DAN COOK PHOTO
The funeral procession heads up East Savannah Road toward the Lewes Fire House. DAN COOK PHOTO
The Delaware State Police helicopter flies low watching over the funeral procession. DAN COOK PHOTO
The truck carrying Tim McClanahan’s casket rides over the draw bridge to the fire house. DAN COOK PHOTO
Friends and family members accompany Tim McClanahan’s casket through the funeral procession. DAN COOK PHOTO
Memebrs of Station 82 and their families leave the fire trucks and walk toward the station for the final call service. DAN COOK PHOTO
Sean McClanahan talks about how his brother stressed teachable moments. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
The blue line of first responders stands at attention as Tim McClanahan’s casket is removed from Cape Henlopen High School. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Members of the Delaware State Police Honor Guard stand at attention as the funeral procession proceeds on Savannah Road toward Lewes Fire Department Station 1. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
With members of Station 82 in the background, the Delaware State Police Honor Guard folds the flag that draped Tim McClanahan’s casket. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
As the siren sounds for the final time, firefighters salute their fallen comrade. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Station 82 trucks are draped in black with flowers in memory of fallen firefighter Tim McClanahan. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Brion McClanahan talks about how his brother touched the lives of people in the area. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Brenden McClanahan, son of the fallen firefighter, reads a poem about going to sea. He said his favorite memories were times he spent with his dad on the Lewes fire boat. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
The Rev. William Cocco of St. Edmund Catholic Church prepares for communion during the funeral service. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Family members attend the final call ceremony in front of Station 82 following a funeral procession through Lewes. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
The Lewes Fire Department fire rescue boat sprays a salute. TJ REDEFER PHOTO
The funeral procession for Tim McClanahan heads over the Lewes Drawbridge. TJ REDEFER PHOTO
A rainbow is visible as the Lewes Fire Department fire rescue boat sprays a salute. TJ REDEFER PHOTO
Members of the Lewes Fire Department stood in silent salute Sunday afternoon in front of Station 1 as the final siren sounded for one of their own.
It was the climax of a long, sad week for local first responders who turned out by the hundreds to pay their respects to 46-year-old Tim McClanahan during a pair of weekend viewings followed by a funeral service at Cape Henlopen High School.
McClanahan died tragically in a July 11 training accident when he fell from a helicopter during a Delaware Air Rescue Team training exercise at Delaware Coastal Airport in Georgetown.
Firefighters from around the region – some standing in line for more than an hour – filed by McClanahan's flag-draped, open casket prior to the service.
As they filed by – some kneeling and others saluting – images of McClanahan and his family and friends and extended first responders' family – covered a large screen. His favorite music – including songs by Garth Brooks – filled the high school auditorium.
The Rev. William Cocco of St. Edmond Catholic Church urged the large crowd to celebrate how McClanahan lived his life. "We need to be thankful for people like Tim who serve others and thank God for the gift of his life," he said. "We can learn from his example to service and preparedness. The true calling of discipleship is to live a selfless life."
Ted Robertson, a lifelong friend and fellow 1988 Cape Henlopen High School graduate, shared memories of growing up. He also spoke to Tim's children.
"Brenden and Mollie, it's OK to be sad and angry, but you must also be proud," Robertson said. "He loved what he was doing and was always able to get through barriers."
"Tim did things worth remembering," said his brother, Brion McClanahan, who lives in Phenix City, Ala. "He had Delaware and Sussex County running through his veins. He changed and improved lives around him and has left a void that will never be filled. We have to always remember what he did for this corner of the world."
Sean McClanahan, who lives in Lewes, said his brother loved to share his knowledge using teachable moments, and he has left one behind for him.
"I've lost the opportunity to make more memories and shared experiences with my brother," he said, adding they didn't take enough time to do things together; that's something he will always regret.
He said his brother's passing should serve as a reminder to everyone to put family and friends first. "We can't get bogged down by insignificant things," he said.
The Rev. Charlie Arnold, a member of Station 82, thanked the support surrounding fire departments have provided to Lewes and the McClanahan family over the past week, including numerous stations that stood by so Lewes volunteers did not have to respond to alarms.
"The best lesson to learn from this tragedy is to keep this going forward to provide whatever a brother or sister needs," he said.
It was Arnold who, fighting back tears, explained the significance of ringing a bell at a firefighter's funeral. The bell – sounded 15 times – is a symbolic gesture used to send a firefighter home when their task is completed.
Following the funeral ceremony, McClanahan's casket was placed atop a Lewes fire truck and escorted to Station 1 by more than 100 pieces of apparatus. The entire Lewes Fire Department marched behind the truck.
At the final call service at Station 1, members of the Delaware State Police Honor Guard removed and folded the flag draping the casket. In a touching moment, the flag from the service was presented to his son, Brenden, and his Station 82 helmet was presented to his daughter, Mollie.
McClanahan started his career in volunteer emergency service in 1991 and was a past member of the Milton Fire Department and an associate member of the the Ellendale Volunteer Fire Co. He joined the Delaware Air Rescue Team in 2010 in partnership with Delaware State Police. He led the Build the Boat campaign, designed the Lewes fireboat and was instrumental in developing the Lewes Fire Department water rescue program.
In addition to his brothers, son and daughter, McClanahan is survived by his parents, Mike and Rita McClanahan, and his fiancée, Kim Holler-Baker.
A line of Lewes Fire Department officers and firefighters salute as the casket of Tim McClanahan is taken from the service at Cape Henlopen High School July 17 to a Lewes fire truck at the head of the funeral procession. The 46-year-old firefighter died July 11 during a training exercise when he fell from a Delaware State Police helicopter at Delaware Coastal Airport in Georgetown. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Firefighters pause to salute during a viewing prior to the July 17 mass at Cape Henlopen High School. Hundreds of firefighters stood in line for an hour to pay their final respects to Tim McClanahan. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
A colorguard leads the precessional from the school to a Lewes Fire Department truck. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Lewes fighters salute their fallen comrade in a long blue line outside Cape Henlopen High School. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Tim McClanahan’s diving/rescue apparatus and fire department suit stand in solemn tribute to the fallen Lewes volunteer fireman. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
The funeral procession moves along Savannah Road toward the Lewes Fire Department. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
The Lewes fire truck carrying the casket stops in front of Station 82 for the final call service. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Brenden and Mollie McClanahan accept their father’s flag and helmet during the final call ceremony at Lewes Fire Department Station 1.
Lewes firemen accompanying the casket are silhouetted against a bright blue sky. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Delaware State Police Honor Guard members fold the United States flag draping Tim McClanahan’s casket before presenting it to family members. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Lewes firefighters salute as the Delaware State Police Honor Guard folds the U.S. flag. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Glen Leudtke plays taps at the final call service in front of Station 82 on Savannah Road. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
The Lewes Fire Department fire rescue boat sprays a salute as the fire truck carrying Tim McClanahan’s casket rides over the Freeman bridge. DAN COOK PHOTO
The funeral procession heads up East Savannah Road toward the Lewes Fire House. DAN COOK PHOTO
The Delaware State Police helicopter flies low watching over the funeral procession. DAN COOK PHOTO
The truck carrying Tim McClanahan’s casket rides over the draw bridge to the fire house. DAN COOK PHOTO
Friends and family members accompany Tim McClanahan’s casket through the funeral procession. DAN COOK PHOTO
Memebrs of Station 82 and their families leave the fire trucks and walk toward the station for the final call service. DAN COOK PHOTO
Sean McClanahan talks about how his brother stressed teachable moments. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
The blue line of first responders stands at attention as Tim McClanahan’s casket is removed from Cape Henlopen High School. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Members of the Delaware State Police Honor Guard stand at attention as the funeral procession proceeds on Savannah Road toward Lewes Fire Department Station 1. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
With members of Station 82 in the background, the Delaware State Police Honor Guard folds the flag that draped Tim McClanahan’s casket. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
As the siren sounds for the final time, firefighters salute their fallen comrade. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Station 82 trucks are draped in black with flowers in memory of fallen firefighter Tim McClanahan. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Brion McClanahan talks about how his brother touched the lives of people in the area. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Brenden McClanahan, son of the fallen firefighter, reads a poem about going to sea. He said his favorite memories were times he spent with his dad on the Lewes fire boat. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
The Rev. William Cocco of St. Edmund Catholic Church prepares for communion during the funeral service. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Family members attend the final call ceremony in front of Station 82 following a funeral procession through Lewes. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
The Lewes Fire Department fire rescue boat sprays a salute. TJ REDEFER PHOTO
The funeral procession for Tim McClanahan heads over the Lewes Drawbridge. TJ REDEFER PHOTO
A rainbow is visible as the Lewes Fire Department fire rescue boat sprays a salute. TJ REDEFER PHOTO
