James McClendon was born June 27, 1943, to Velma and the late John McClendon. He attended Amarillo public schools and received a welding certificate, as well as a ministry of education degree from Amarillo College. He worked for Glover Packing Co. and Swift Beef Co. He was a truck driver for Glover Packing Co. and Monfort in Cactus for 17 years.

He was chairman of the deacon board and a faithful member of St. John Baptist Church until his death.

Survivors include his wife, Vena McClendon; his mothers, Velma McClendon and Mattie Sue McClendon, both of Amarillo; three children, Teddie Smith and Marie McClendon, both of Amarillo, and James J. McClendon Jr. of Clovis, N.M.; three sisters, Violean Riley, Estella McClendon and Gwen Morris, all of Amarillo; and four brothers, Alder Ray Nash of Atlanta, Cleophus Nash of Amarillo, Jerold McClendon of Augusta, Ga., and John McClendon of Stockland, Calif.