Gary D. McClaren, 75, of Sutherland, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Blue Springs, Missouri.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 9, 2026 at Boothby Funeral Home located at 207 E. Main Street in Cherokee, Iowa. Pastor Mark Leeds will officiate. Military rites by the L.A. Wescott Post #2253 and the Cherokee American Legion will be performed on the funeral home lawn following services. Visitation with the family present will be on Thursday, October 8, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Boothby Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.

Gary was born on December 23, 1950 to Basil and Maxine (Billings) McClaren at Cherokee, Iowa. He graduated from Washington High School in 1971. Right out of high school, Gary enlisted in the United States Army and served for the next 20 years.

He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Linda Cates on August 31, 1973 at the First Church of Christ in Cherokee, Iowa.

He worked at OBECO of Cherokee for several years and then began trucking for Continental Trucking for over 15 years before retiring in 2014 due to his health.

Gary loved playing cards, going fishing, playing Bingo, Wii bowling, and spending any time he could with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Basil and Maxine, brothers Rick, James, Dick, and Don McClaren, sister Linda Terrell, father-in-law James Cates and many aunts and uncles.

He is survived by his wife, Linda McClaren of Sutherland, Iowa; sons Jeremy (Shelly) McClaren of Primghar, Iowa, Jason McClaren of Ocheyedan, Iowa, and Josh (Liza) McClaren of Temple, Texas; 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren; siblings Neva Nolan of Greer, South Carolina, Robert (Pam) McClaren of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Mike McClaren of Sutherland, Iowa; mother-in-law Rose Cates of Okoboji, Iowa; brother-in-law Don Terrell of Denver, Colorado and sister-in-law Mary McClaren of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina; also numerous nieces and nephews.