Roger Blair McClellan

Roger Blair McClellan, 58, passed away at 7:10 p.m. Monday, July 9, 2012, at his residence surrounded by his family. He was born in Greencastle, Ind., on Sept. 15, 1953. Roger grew up on a small farm in Decatur County and discovered a love for the natural world and its creatures that would guide him throughout his life. He graduated from South Decatur High School in Westport, Ind., in 1971 and later attained his bachelor of science degree from Indiana University in 1975. On Dec. 20, 1985, Roger married his loving wife and best friend, Lora ("Lolly") with whom he shared his dreams and adventures creating memories to last a lifetime. Roger loved playing guitar for her, singing together and sharing their music, and spending time in the great outdoors. Roger is also survived by his sister, Joyce Click, and her family, Steve, Nathan and Tessa; and Roger's brother, Mark McClellan, and his family, Juanita, Erin and Martin. Roger will also be dearly missed by his stepson, Steve Rider, and his family, Jennifer, Brice and Dylan; and his stepdaughter, Melissa Taylor, and her family, David, Gavin, Raife and Meric. In addition to family, Roger has been blessed to have many wonderful friends in his life. He thoroughly enjoyed providing a comfortable place for friends and family to gather and visit and both Roger and Lolly treasured having their friends and family near. Roger had many hobbies and was quite skilled in working outdoors, golfing, canoeing, hunting, fishing, hiking, and in playing cards, pool and ping-pong. We learned much from him in these areas and also in business. Roger began his career in earnest in 1977 at CTS Corporation. He worked there in a variety of leadership roles in Arkansas, Illinois, California and Indiana; ultimately, becoming their president and general manager for the Resistor Networks SBU Division. Aside from a two-year stint at Wholesale Electric Service Company in 1990-1992, Roger worked at CTS until he left in 1993 to work at and eventually purchase and restructure Lafayette Instrument Company. There he served as the president and general manager alongside his partners, Chris Fausett and Terry Echard. The business has had the honor of being the pre-eminent supplier of polygraph throughout the world and provides specialty products to the Department of Defense counter-terrorist units. The company also provides numerous products to the life-science community for research on central nervous system disorders. With the help of his partners and employees, Roger considers the resurrection of Lafayette Instrument Company to be his greatest professional achievement. Roger served on several local non-profit and business related committees and boards with a special involvement in Pheasants Forever. He worked tirelessly to provide wildlife habitat and felt that was the best gift he could give to his community. Roger was a member of the Scardinia Baptist Church for most of his life, but more recently became a member of the Fowler First Presbyterian Church. Roger, we will miss your smile, your wit, your kind heart and your incredible mind. You'll always be with us. Friends will be received from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 13, at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd., Lafayette, IN 47909, and also one hour prior to the funeral service at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 14, at Fowler First Presbyterian Church, 501 E. 6th St., Fowler, IN 47944, with the Rev. Ann Williams officiating. Burial will follow at Fowler Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to: Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure Inc. at www.abc2.org. You may offer condolences at www.soller-baker.com.