David Michael McLean

David Michael McLean, 76, passed away quietly at the Robin Johnson Hospice House in Dallas, NC on January 31, 2023 following an extended illness. David was born on September 25, 1946 in Charlotte, NC to Brevard and Sarah McLean of Belmont, NC and was the third of four sons. The family lived in Belmont, NC where David was a 1964 graduate of Belmont Senior High School. After high school, he joined the Navy and served on both a submarine, and later, a submarine tender. When his military enlistment was completed, David returned home to North Carolina where he attended college; graduating from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics which he accomplished while working full time for Eastern Airlines at their Charlotte Reservation Center as a Sales Agent. While attending college, he met and fell in love with Cindy McCallum. They were married in December of 1970 in a small private ceremony and remained together for almost fifty years, until Cindy succumbed to the effects of cancer in 2020. In 1987, David left Eastern Airlines and joined Cindy at her parent's company, McCallum Sales, Inc (an architectural signage company). When her parents passed away, Cindy became the sole owner of the business. Thereafter, David and Cindy ran the business as full partners and it grew to become one of the leading sign companies in Charlotte. During their long career, they designed and created interior signs for most of the major banks in Charlotte, as well as all of the initial interior signs for the Carolina Panthers Stadium, and numerous fast-food franchises in both North and South Carolina. After Cindy passed away, and suffering from several health issues himself, David closed McCallum Sales, Inc and retired to their home in Belmont, NC where he had lived with Cindy for many years. He recently down-sized to a smaller home in Gastonia where he lived until his recent passing. Both David and Cindy loved to travel and enjoyed many trips together to exciting places throughout the world. They also shared a love for music and theater; frequently visiting New York City to see Broadway plays; especially musicals. David was also an avid fan of old movies, and classic television shows. He was a die-hard fan of the UNC Tar Heels. He loved all their sporting events but was especially crazy about the Tar Heel basketball team. David was preceded in death by his loving wife, Cindy, his parents, Brevard and Sarah, and a brother, Charles Stewart. He is survived by two brothers, Marvin and Ronald, five nephews, two nieces, one great-niece, numerous cousins and several close friends. A "Celebration of Life" honoring David will be held later this year, a date, time and location have yet to be determined. In remembrance of David, donations may be made to The Robin Johnson Hospice House, 5005 Shepherd's Way Drive, Dallas, NC 28034.