Jackie McClellen Gause

Jackie McClellen Gause entered eternal life on February 25, 2025. Jackie was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 20, 1934, to Ethel and Robert “Bob” McClellen. She grew up in Ft. Worth and graduated from Northside High School. She was active in the school theater program and her church.

While she was in high school, Jackie started dating the boy next door, Jim Babe Butler Gause. They were married on October 18, 1953. Jackie followed Jim across the country as he pursued a variety of careers. You could say she was a professional homemaker, setting up house in Midland, Lubbock and San Antonio, Texas; Moline and Rock Island, Ilinois; Cincinnati, Ohio; Arvada, Colorado; and Bridgeton, Missouri, before settling in Mansfield, Texas. Along the way, they welcomed five children into their family.

During the 1970’s and 1980’s, Jackie worked as a histologist at Harris Hospital and UT Southwestern. Jackie had a lifelong love of learning, graduating with her BA in English in the early 1980’s. Throughout her life, her faith, love, and dedication to God was a constant. In the early 1990’s, Jackie took that devotion to Brite Divinity School at TCU and earned her Master of Divinity. She served as diaconal minister and ordained deacon at FUMC Mansfield for about ten years.

During her life, Jackie was active in the community. She was the first PTA President of Alice Ponder Elementary. While living in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, she was a member of the Crystal Chimes Chorus that performed at area choir competitions. Jackie was also a founding member of the Chalupa Book Club. But Jackie’s greatest love was inspiring others to improve their relationship with God and their knowledge of the Bible. At FUMC Mansfield, she played handbells, sang in the choir, and taught a variety of Sunday School classes. After she retired from her official duties at the church, she continued to hold a bible study in her home. After moving to her home at Highlands Village, she started a Sunday song service for the residents, including a mini-devotional. Jackie was a friend, and a teacher, and an inspiration to more people than she will ever know.

Jackie was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 67 years, Jim. She is survived by her daughters, Jill Carey, Jo Housewright, Jayna Gause and Jennifer Gause; son, Jim C. Gause; daughter-in-law Joanie Housewright; grandchildren Kaylee Anderson, Corey Anderson and wife Liz, Taylor Gause, and Alex and David Gurasich; great-grandchildren Destiny Denison and Archie Anderson; brother Robert McClellen and wife Marilu, and nephews Scott and Matt McClellen.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to all the staff at Highlands Village Senior Living for all the love and care they provided Jackie and to Allstar Hospice for the compassionate care that they provided.

Funeral service will be held at Emerald Hills Funeral Home in Kennedale on Monday, March 3, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., with burial following at Emerald Hills Memorial Park.  Visitation will be on Sunday, March 2, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.