Greg McClendon
June 13, 1969-Feb. 7, 2022

Gregory Alan McClendon was born in Kinsley, Kansas on June 13, 1969. Growing up, Greg was a daredevil child who was never afraid to push the boundaries, whether that be speeding in his car or his mother’s patience. Greg’s entrepreneurial spirit sprouted at age 7 when he started his first job rolling and delivering the local paper, and from this young age forward Greg was never without a job. In 1987, Greg graduated from Larned High School and went on to complete his Associates Degree with Technical Certification in Telecommunications at Northwest Kansas Area Tech School, and afterwards took a job with Nortel rebuilding infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. Upon returning, always the entrepreneur, Greg purchased two apartment complexes.

On May 6, 1995, Greg married Katherine Basom in Garfield, KS, and shortly thereafter moved to Plano, TX, where he spent more than 15 years working in telecommunications. He then pursued other adventures, including chartering flights and trading stocks. 

Greg loved baseball and other sports and began playing baseball and football at a young age. He loved the Kansas State Wildcats, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals. With his wife’s encouragement and despite his Mother’s protests, he even loved to watch University of Kansas basketball. He got to see the Kansas City Chiefs win their first Superbowl in 50 years in 2020 and the Kansas City Royals win the World Series in 2015.   

Greg immersed himself in the community, making Plano his second home. An active member of First United Methodist Church Plano, Greg welcomed members and guests arriving to worship, attended Sunday school classes, and volunteered in the children, youth, and mission programs. 

Greg also loved cheering on his children by attending many football, baseball, and basketball games and along with wrestling matches, theater productions and dance recitals. He was proud to watch his boys, Jacob, Drake, Cole and Breck play baseball and other sports and coached several baseball teams through the years.

Greg lost his battle with extreme anxiety disorder at the age of 52, and leaves behind his beloved wife, Katherine; children Jacob Rapp (Sherri) of Manhattan, KS, Drake, Cole, Breck, and Karenna of the home; loving mother Marilyn (Larned, KS), father Gay (Hutchinson, KS); brothers Brian (South Hutchinson, KS) and Rusty (Larned, KS); Grandchildren Jayci, Hazeley, and Emry; Dalton McClendon, nephew, and Katie McClendon, neice, and too many furry friends to count. He was preceded in death by his Uncle Jerry.

 A GoFundMe is organized by the Foundations Sunday School Class of First United Methodist Church Plano to help Katherine McClendon and her four children. Greg’s death has been a devastating loss to his family, and in the upcoming months and years they face many challenges as Katherine navigates the transition to a single parent. Their Sunday school Class is asking for  your prayers to cover the McClendon family, as well as financial support. You may contribute to the family HERE. 

A loving father, husband and friend, Greg will be greatly missed and always remembered.

Suicide affects all ages. According to the CDC, it is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-34, the fourth leading cause among people ages 35-44, and the fifth leading cause among people ages 45-54. If you need help, or know someone who does, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). It’s free and confidential. You’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor in your area. ou can also connect 24/7 to a crisis counselor by texting HOME to 741741.