Travis Funeral Chapel

Gene L. McClanahan, 93, longtime Atlanta, MO resident, passed peacefully from this life when his Lord and Savior called him home to Heaven on Friday, February 9, 2024 from the La Plata Nursing Home in La Plata, MO. Gene had been a resident there for the past two and a half years after his health began to fail, and he was also under the care of Northeast Missouri Hospice for the past ten days.

Gene was born December 2, 1930, in Fort Morgan, Colorado, the only child and beloved son of Gale and Beulah (Patterson) McClanahan. Gale and Beulah were both Adair County, MO natives, and had moved to Colorado where they lived on a ranch in northeastern Colorado for the first ten years of Gene’s life. Early in life, Gene was taught the importance of hard work, completing all tasks to the best of his ability, and never backing down from a challenge.

Located many miles from the nearest town and high school and wanting Gene to receive a good education, the McClanahans moved to the Moody farm east of Atlanta, MO in early 1942, when Gene was eleven. That’s when Gene Leo McClanahan met Donna Lou Belt and attended grade school together at Moody School. Gene was a proud graduate of the Atlanta High School Class of 1948 where he enjoyed vocal music and played basketball. In later years, Gene always enjoyed sharing stories about teammates and his team’s “good games”, and he never missed a class reunion.

Gene attended Kirksville State Teachers College for two years, while traveling home most weekends to help farm. On September 2, 1951, Gene married the love of his life, Donna Belt, and they spent the next 72 years together, living and working on the family farm east of Atlanta. Even after Gene entered the nursing home and/or spent time in the hospital, Donna visited him daily and they spent countless hours together.

Gene and his dad Gale farmed together for over 65 years, raising corn, soybeans, wheat, and livestock, especially Angus cattle. In the mid-1970s, they were among the original builders and co-owners of the Kirksville Livestock Market. In 1995, Gene’s eldest grandson, Chad, joined the family farming operation, and continues to carry on the family legacy of agriculture.

In 1976, Gene was elected to the Macon Electric Cooperative Board of Directors, where he served faithfully for the next 30 years, until retiring after he suffered a stroke. He also served as a longtime board member of Northeast Missouri Power, the Associated Electric Missouri State Cooperative Board, and was a longtime delegate to the National Board of Rural Electric Cooperatives. It was said of Gene that he never missed any of those board meetings and put the interests of others above his own.

Gene had also served on Moody School Board, Atlanta C-3 School Board, MFA Oil Board, Bullion Cemetery Board, and Mt. Tabor Cemetery Board.

Faithfully attending and serving at Mt. Tabor Baptist Church, east of Atlanta, Gene became a baptized believer there at age 14, making him currently the oldest and longest-time member. He taught a rowdy group of young boys’ Sunday School class and enjoyed them immensely, served as longtime song leader, moderator, and had served as a deacon since 1976. He often shared with nurses and staff “The King is Coming…He’s Coming for Me!”

Gene always worked hard, but he still found time to enjoy life. He was an avid quail hunter and many have called him a great shot (back in the day when quail were plentiful). He first hunted jackrabbits as a young boy, also enjoyed fishing, hunting trips back to Colorado for deer and elk, and especially hunting with his four grandsons and other good hunters.

Along with their two daughters Paula and Debbie, Gene and Donna were actively involved in many community activities, and some of Gene’s favorite memories involved church activities, school events, 4-H beef leadership, proud spectator at sporting events, and encourager of young people. Gene had a great unconditional love for family, whether you were a close relative, or a friend who seemed like family!

Gene is survived by his loving wife, Donna, of the family home; his older daughter Paula and husband Gary Thompson, of rural La Plata, MO; son-in-law, Kenny Livingston of Macon, MO; four special grandsons: Chad (Johnna) Thompson of rural Atlanta, MO; Ryan (Mollie) Livingston of Brookfield, MO; Brett (Tabitha) Thompson of Camdenton, MO; and Deron Livingston of Atlanta, MO; seven great-grandchildren: Dylan (Megan) Thompson of Atlanta, MO; Madison Livingston of Kansas City, MO; Cole Thompson of Atlanta, MO; Logan Thompson of Camdenton, MO; Morgan Livingston of Brookfield, MO; Kolby Livingston of Brookfield, MO; and Karson Livingston of Brookfield, MO. He is also survived by one brother-in-law, Gary (Linda) Belt of Atlanta, MO.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Gale (2003) and Beulah (1994) McClanahan; his in-laws, Noel (1983) and Alma (2006) Belt; his younger daughter, Debbie Livingston (November 2022); many other relatives and a host of close friends.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at Travis Funeral Chapel in La Plata, Missouri, with the family receiving friends from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Funeral service will be held at 10 AM on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at the funeral home, with Rev. Gene Runnels officiating. Burial will be in the Mt. Tabor Cemetery, east of Atlanta, MO.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the donor’s choice. Those may be left or mailed to Travis Funeral Chapel, 125 S. Church St., La Plata, MO 63549.