PERDIDO KEY — The humid summer weather didn’t stop the Flora-Bama from hosting a celebration of life for its late stalwart Pat McClellan on Sunday, Aug. 9, which included staff, family, friends and patrons.

Pat McClellan, who teamed up with longtime owner Joe Gilchrist as a part owner of the Flora-Bama in 1984, passed away on July 22. McClellan was credited with helping develop the Flora-Bama into the iconic roadhouse on the beaches of the Alabama-Florida state line that it is known as today, and he was personally responsible for developing many of the events that continue to this day, including the Mullet Toss during the spring and the Polar Bear Dip on New Year’s Day.

John McInnis, who is currently the majority owner of the Flora-Bama, grew up on the Gulf Coast. He and his dad had known McClellan since the 1990s, later becoming close friends in the 2000s and working together on charity efforts, especially after Hurricane Ivan.

In 2009, McClellan and Gilchrist asked McInnis and business partner Cam Price to carry Flora-Bama into the future, with McInnis buying a majority share of the establishment.

“Not only did he entrust us with the ability to do that, but he taught us everything we knew about the bar, restaurant and business,” McInnis said. “We didn’t know anything about it at that time. My family and I, we owe Pat and Joe the life that we have today. We live here full time because of them, because of the Flora-Bama and (they) changed our life for the better.”

McClellan had many titles around the Flora-Bama, ranging from Navy veteran to genius marketer, but he also had a reputation for being a hugger.

“I probably got a thousand hugs from him,” McInnis said. “(…) He was a big, tall, seven-foot guy, but he wasn’t intimidating at all. He’s a big teddy bear. He would run the big marathons and triathlons here shirtless, and he’d come give you a hug. The wettest hug you’d ever had in your life, and those stick with you.”

McClellan was also known for his love of ice cream, with the Flora-Bama serving patrons free ice cream on Sunday in his honor while a compilation of personal videos and archival footage played before the crowd on the outdoor stage.

“He ate a lot of ice cream,” McInnis said. “Even though Sheryl (McClellan) cut him off of ice cream years ago, he would always sneak in a good ice cream cone and was always telling us. He actually pushed more for ice cream machines than he did bushwacker machines.”

Sean Patrick McClellan, son of Pat McClellan, recalls running around, helping get ice and meeting people while his father led the Flora-Bama. He said his father was someone who was always there and always had your back.

“I feel like anybody could say this that if you could get a fraction of the love and support of the community and all the memories shared I feel like my dad has gotten, you’ve lived a very nice life, and that’s just a fraction,” McClellan said. “It’s really overwhelming and a lot of big shoes to fill to even think about the impact he’s made and how to continue on the legacy.”

McInnis said there is no doubt that Pat and Gilchrist, who passed away in 2022, died as legends on the Gulf Coast, crediting them for significantly contributing to the culture, music and atmosphere of the area.

“I think he would be honored to be remembered as a legend, but not as a legend that grew the top beach bar or honky tonk on the planet,” McInnis said. “He would be honored to know that he was a legend for loving other people and being an example to others.”

Sean Patrick McClellan, trying to hold back his emotions, recalled an early-career interview his father, a journalism major, was proud of. It was for an article titled “Life is a party.”

“I truly believe he thought that and loved that and did all the positive aspects of that, like making people happy, being the host, and just being positive,” McClellan said.

As McInnis puts it, the Flora-Bama is more than just a name and a building. It’s a family and community.

“All of us that come here that love this place, that love each other and want to celebrate life and respect each other, asking only for the same in return, that’s what Pat would want us to do. Let’s do it,” McInnis said. “Today’s the start of celebrating his life. It’s not the end.”