John Patrick McClernon
1958 – 2023
John Patrick McClernon, 64, of Edmond, Oklahoma passed away April 5th, 2023.
John was born on December 20th, 1958, to Julia and Joseph McClernon. Even as a little boy he started walking with Jesus and His mother Mary and would say a Hail Mary before hitting a homerun out of the ballpark.
In college he attended a Charismatic prayer meeting and was profoundly touched by the Lord, and so began his lifelong love of Jesus.
He studied hard in college and still had time for his many friends to kick back and enjoy football and music.
John got his accounting degree and became a CPA. He moved to Dallas to establish residency to continue his education and get his master’s degree. His mother remembers praying to Padre Pio to stay with him throughout his life. When she entered the room John had stayed in and she was overcome with a strong sent of roses (a sign that Padre Pio would answer her prayer).
John joined the Community of God’s Delight in Dallas, a large Christian community that had a thriving young adults group, it was there that he met his Mary. On their first meeting they spoke about the reality of angels and when Mary walked away John thought “if I was a pioneer going across the country, that is that woman I would want at my side”. And so his adventure began, but John still felt the tug to give his heart to Jesus in religious life and went to a monastery to discern a life as a monk. While there he wondered if he would regret not marrying Mary and decided to put it in the Lord’s hands. He asked the Lord to guide him, opened the Bible and randomly put his finger on the passage ‘do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife’. John and Mary were married June 29, 1984. They had plans for Mary to work while John went to school for his masters. John said to Mary one day “we have made these plans but have not asked the Lord what His plans would be in our lives. With that open door Mary conceived their first of five children, (Christopher, Clare, Catherine, David, and Stephen) who were the biggest gifts of his life.
John fulfilled his desire to have a religious vocation and became a Lay Dominican. He dedicated much of his free time to the Saints of the Church which resulted in 9 published books and 9 audio rosary productions.
He became an analyst for the Department of Justice. He loved his work and would end up staying with DOJ for the remainder of his life.
John was a wonderful and devoted father, husband, Dominican and author. He always saw the best in people and loved his family throughout the many joys and sorrows of life. When John wasn’t working, he could be found at Church, a family event, or watching Notre Dame football with his friends.
He is survived by his mother Julia, brother Joseph, sister Jeanie, wife Mary, 5 children, and 4 Grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Gospel of Life Discipleship (GOLD) and Lay Dominicans of OKC. You can donate online following this link, or simply by mailing your check made to “Gospel of Life Disciples
Services will be held Tuesday April 11, 2023, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at St. Monica Catholic Church, Edmond, OK. Interment is to follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Edmond, OK. Following burial friends are welcome to join the family for a lunch at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at 1:00 p.m.
Visitation will be held Monday, April 10, 2023 at Matthews Funeral Home from 1 – 8 p.m. with family present to greet friends and guests from 6 – 8 p.m. A rosary and wake service will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, April 10, 2023 at Matthews Funeral Home.
John, thank you for everything. You were like a second father to me, and demonstrated a father-to-son like love that I never truly enjoyed before I met you. Thank you for inviting me to discern and eventually join the Third Order of St. Dominic, and for helping me fall more in love with the Dominicans, our Blessed Mother, and our amazing, all-knowing, all-loving, and all-compassionate God. I’m so glad you get to be with all of them now. I look forward to when we can finally have lunch together again. So much love for you.
Dear John,
What can a person write about the beauty of your life with Mary, your wife and mother of your children and dearest friend except beauty, true beauty of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph.
May you bless us with your intercessions from heaven and may we follow your footsteps into the Divine Light with Padre Pio and more.
In thankfulness.✝️🙏🕊️
I recall with great fondness when I first visited St. John’s in 1997, at the time when our family moved to Oklahoma from overseas, that John was one of the first I met in our Parish community. He was praying, as usual, with his lay Dominican group in the Daily Mass Chapel. I still remember the amazing warmness and open arms with which he and his family welcomed us, strangers. At many points later, the life of our families became intertwined through Baptisms, Confirmation, family activities, and spiritual events. John truly lived the Dominican motto in many ways: he constantly searched for the Truth, he praised and blessed God for his goodness with his entire being, and he missed no opportunity to proclaim Jesus Christ to anyone he met. John, you have fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. May Eternal Light shine on you now as you meet the Lord of your life!
JOHN… the man with a big heart! A prayer for everyone, even if you didn’t ask. Nary a bad word said about anyone. Would happily talk to you about his faith – and faith he had in abundance!
I will miss you! I miss you already. I will miss your funny family stories, your movie suggestions, our random conversations about people, places, music, faith… and I’ll even miss fixing the formatting on your letters. Selfish that I wish you could have been with us a bit longer.
Prayers and blessings for your Mary, your kids, and your grandchildren.
With much love ~ Michele
Mary, I cannot tell you how sad Vickie and I are about John’s passing. During the time that Vickie worked at the office, and I came by, John was so genuinely kind and was so enjoyable to visit with him. John always showed me how proud he was of you and the children. His dedication to God and Family is such an example and is a challenge to anyone to duplicate. God bless you, the children, grandchildren, and the rest of his family. I’m sure God has greeted John and said welcome good and faithful servant.
John McClernon always served not just as a good friend but a good role model. I was very blessed to know him. I’m where I’m at in my faith and in my relationship with my wife in part because he showed me and taught me Catholicism, he was passionate and knowledgeable and shared his faith with me and was a fantastic confirmation sponsor, and he loved his wife and his children so so much. He still does. I’m looking forward to seeing him again.
John, good man who loved and honored God. And Mary, his wife a special gift from God to John. Easter a special time the Holy Spirit chose to take John into the presence of our Lord Jesus.
Mary, Larry and I are so saddened to hear of Johns passing! You both have been such loving neighbors to our family over the years!! Our deepest condolences!
John was an inspiration to me to be the best father I could be. His love for his children and devotion to his family as a whole was clear to all who met him. My children and I cherish the times we joined his family for Thanksgiving dinners and other holidays, and those days remain a treasure in our memories. John will always live for us in our fond remembrances of his passion for watching Notre Dame football games and his devotion to special causes, such as when he would pray to end abortion while shivering outside Oklahoma City’s now-defunct abortion clinic. He was a good person and the world is a better place for having had John in it.
I first met John when he was dating my roommate – Mary. Mary liked John ok, but John was totally smitten with Mary. I remember when we wud have a group of friends over for small prayer group gatherings at our home, John’s eyes wud just follow Mary wherever she went. So in love….
John was spiritually inspiring in many ways but what I remember most is how well read he was. Church History, writings of the saints, of course Scripture, etc etc – must have been that Dominican charism he embraced. As smart as he was though, he never had an air of self-importance. He was always quite humble.
I pray John celebrated his best Easter ever and I praise and thank God this earthly life is not all there is. How wonderful when we r all Re-United in perfect health, joy and Love with Our Lord and Blessed Mother – and we’ll never have to say goodbye.
John introduced me to a great group of folks who also had a love of Notre Dame football. We made a few trips up to South Bend, shared many lunches, watch parties and discussions on football, our families and faith. I will carry all those wonderful memories forever. No doubt he has the best seat in heaven with no goal posts obstructing. Rest in peace my friend. We know you’re in a better place now watching over all of us.
John’s faith was on fire! He will be greatly missed as a mentor and fellow Lay Dominican.
Dear Mary, my deepest condolences to you and your family as you mourn John’s passing. I will celebrate a Mass for him this week.
Sincerely in Christ, Fr. Joe Lehman, TOR
Dear Mary,
With much love and prayers from Combermere, Alma
What a joy he was. We sat side by side at Mass together several times. He uplifted me and was always (with great generosity) able to discuss spiritual questions with me. I am forever grateful, and will miss you terribly, until we meet again. Love, B David Sisson
I was a good friend of Johns in high school we grew up in the same neighborhood in Yardley together. I remember him as a spiritual rock to his friends. He is at peace now forever!
Mike Cregan