Jerry McClam

Jerry Wesley McClam was born in Buffalo, NY on June 6, 1950. He was the oldest son of Georgia Mae (Walton) and Lewis W. McClam. He peacefully passed away on Friday, November 3, 2023. Jerry was educated in the Buffalo Public School System and graduated from Bennett High School in 1968. While in High School, Jerry explored his love for music and played the drums in the band all four years. He was also the percussion section leader. Upon graduation, he furthered his education at SUNY at Buffalo where he majored in Librarian Services. In 1971, he married Cassandra (Kennedy) Addison. Jerry pursued his passion for music and even started his own record label. In 1978, he created AM/BETH Records and recorded his first record “C’mon and Dance.” He played with several bands including the Buffalo Jazz Ensemble and Spyro Gyra, making a name for himself in the music industry. Alongside his musical pursuits, Jerry also ventured into entrepreneurship, owning rental properties and two dry cleaners. In 1987, Jerry moved to Northern Virginia in hopes of a better life and better business opportunities. He founded the Jazz Band “Destiny” in the late 80s and performed for thousands at numerous jazz and wine festivals and other events. He also established JM & Associates, a private investigating firm, in 1990, which served the DC, Maryland and Virginia areas. In 2003, he married Bernadine Nash and moved to Weston, MA. He returned to school and earned his Masters Degree in Education at American International College. After completion, he taught middle school in the Boston Public School District. Here he continued working on his music craft with an indoor recording studio and expanded J.M. & Associates to the Boston area. In 2012, he had dual residency between Virginia and Massachusetts. During this time, he further expanded his firm to include Private Investigation and a Private Investigating Academy where he led classes and mentored aspiring investigators. Jerry loved his children and was so proud of their accomplishments. He absolutely adored his grandchildren and cherished the time he spent visiting with them in their hometowns across the country. He was affectionately known as Poppy, Pop-Pop and Poppity Pop-Pop by his grands. He is preceded in death by his parents Georgia and Lewis McClam along with his siblings Tyrone McClam and Barbara Lewis. He leaves to cherish his loving memory, five children Amorita McClam of Columbia, SC, Bethany (Roland) Criswell of Chicago, IL, Jerry (Marlene) McClam, II of Monroe, NC, Marcus McClam of Buffalo, NY and Mercedes (Christopher) Gates of Winter Garden, FL. He also leaves 10 grandchildren: Jayden, Roland, MacKenzie, Brandon, Xavier, Ryan, Makayla, Christopher Jr., Audrey and Niya. He also leaves four siblings: Gwendolyn (Kenneth) Norman, Patricia (Joe) Turner, Tommy (Elizabeth) McClam and Timothy (Tameka) McClam. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Tributes

Jerry McClam

June 6, 1950 - November 3, 2023