Steven Davies McLean passed away at his home in Redding, CA on March 15, 2016. He is survived by his wife of 35 years Cathy McLean, his mother Patricia McLean-Locatell and her husband Dave, brother Ken McLean and his wife Linda, sister Raiann Wilson and husband Thomas, brother Jerry McLean, “adopted” sister Missy Manning and husband Jeff, son Kyle McLean and his children Jacob and Annalise, daughter Sara McLean and Brandon, and their children Keaton and Kinlee, and daughter Kristi McLean and her children Sophie and Madison. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews. Steve was preceded in death by his father James McLean and a sister Mariann who died as a child.
Steve was born on August 29, 1954 in Missoula, Montana where his dad was attending college, Soon after the family returned to Northern California where Steve grew up in the Quincy area, graduating from Quincy High School in 1972. Steve served in the U.S. Air Force from 1973 – 74.
The McLean brothers all followed in their father’s footsteps, choosing a career in the fire service. James McLean was a prominent leader in the U.S. Forest Service. Steve, the eldest brother, began his career with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (then CDF, now CAL FIRE) in 1975 as a firefighter in the Lassen-Modoc Unit. Advancing to the rank of Division Chief, Steve was a dedicated and highly respected leader within CDF. He served in a variety critical programs throughout the state, including: Director of the Susanville Training Center, Battalion Chief at the Northern Region Operations Center, as a POST Academy graduate he promoted to Assistant Chief in the Law Enforcement Program, and in 2005 transferred to the Siskiyou Unit as the Administrative Chief where he served until his retirement in 2009. Steve also utilized his administrative expertise serving as a Finance Section Chief on Incident Command Teams. At the request of the Department, Steve came out of retirement from 2011- 12 to serve as a retired annuitant overseeing CAL FIRE’s Employee Support Services Program. A program that assists employees and their families dealing with the stress associated with the demands of a fire service career. Steve was passionate about helping others with the challenges he had faced in his own life.
Steve loved his family and especially enjoyed the outdoors – hunting, fishing, camping at his beloved Latour State Forest, boating, and riding quads with his kids. The family shared many memorable trips across the country visiting family and national parks along the way. “Papa Steve” will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
A celebration of Steve’s life will be held April 2, 2016 at 1:00 pm at Risen King Community Church 6100 Oasis Rd. Redding, CA. 96003. A reception will follow. Uniforms are optional for fire personnel.
Donations in memory of Steve can be made to:
CDF Firefighters Benevolent Foundation
1731 J Street, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95811
OR
Haven Human Society – Animal Shelter
7449 Eastside Rd
Redding, CA 96001