Rev. Boyd Mcclaren

Asheville - The Rev. Boyd McClaren, 84, of Summit Street, born December 11, 1924, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, April 2, 2008 after an extended illness. A native of Warner, OK, the Rev. McClaren was the son of the late Fred and Iva McClaren of Checotah, OK. He was preceded in death by his five brothers: Bobby McClaren, Bill McClaren, Ted McClaren, Edmond McClaren, and Frantz McClaren, all of California; and three sisters: Flora Willingham and Dorothy Gilford, both of California, and Edith Rigney, of Checotah, OK. Rev. McClaren leaves behind his loyal wife of sixty-five years, Virginia Thurmond McClaren; his son, Darrell McClaren, Pastor of Harvest Time Assembly; daughter-in-law, Sandy McClaren; three guardianship children: Tommy Edwin Barnett and George Alonzo Barnett, both of Asheville and Laura Barnett Hall of Statesville; and several nephews and niece, Betty Pruitt of Okmulgee, OK. The Rev. McClaren served in World War II and was stationed in Hawaii and the Philippines. The Rev. McClaren pastored a Mission in Oklahoma City, OK as well as churches in Durant, Pauls Valley, and Edmond, OK. He and his wife traveled and preached with Evangelists A.A. Allen, R. W. Shambach, and W.V. Grant of Voice of Healing in Dallas, TX. In 1962, he purchased the old Biltmore Baptist Church in Asheville, which was erected by George Vanderbilt. Here he founded Asheville Full Gospel Tabernacle, where he pastored for forty years. Rev. McClaren also had a popular television program which included but not precluded to singing, playing of instruments, and preaching the word of God. The Reverend was also the author of three books: I Saw the Death Angel, The Chains That Bound Him, and a course on Demonology. Rev. McClaren was also an employee of the Buncombe County Sheriffs Department, employed by Sheriff Charlie Long and Bobby Medford, where he acted as Chaplain, worked with prisoners, and also carried out duties in the Reassurance Program for Senior Citizens. Boyd was blessed with a great personality. He was a man of faith, generous, and one who will be missed by his family and many friends. Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Saturday in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home, with the Rev. John Chase, Rev. Willie Warren, and his son, Rev. Darrell McClaren officiating. The family will receive friends from 12-1:30 PM Saturday at the funeral home. Graveside services will be held the following day at 2:30 PM Sunday at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.