Town of Manteo dedicates the James “Mobile” McClease Sr. Bowsertown Municipal Complex

Published 7:51 am Sunday, November 14, 2021

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Family, friends, local officials, staff and members of the community gathered on Saturday, October 23, 2021 to honor a long-term and much-loved town employee at a dedication ceremony at the Bowsertown Municipal Complex. The complex was given a new name and is now known as the James “Mobile” McClease Sr. Municipal Complex.

McClease worked for the town for over 30 years, beginning his career as a maintenance worker and worked hard up through the ranks to Public Works director.

The word dedicated describes not only the ceremony, but more so McClease. Reminders of his tremendous work ethic and love for this community can be seen all around town, such as the handmade chairs at the Magnolia Pavilion, the renovated boathouse and new boardwalks downtown, relocation of the Pea Island Cookhouse from the beach and placement of the Keeper Richard Etheridge Statue to their current locations, and the building of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Public Works Complex that is being dedicated and named in his honor. “He wasn’t much of a talker, he just went out there and always got it done,” shared his son, James A. McClease Jr.

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When he wasn’t working for the town, he was serving other public service endeavors such as the Lions Club and his church. McClease was recognized for his significant contributions to the State of North Carolina and his community through exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments and awarded the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award in December 2019.

“James A. McClease served the community he loved always with a strong commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all those who visited, lived or worked here,” stated a press release from the town. “The Town of Manteo is grateful for his hard work and the integral role he played each and every day in making Manteo a wonderful and beautiful place for all. Thank you to the McClease family for allowing the Town the opportunity to honor their loved one, Mr. James A. McClease Sr., today, tomorrow, and for many more years to come.”

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