Hugh Owen Maclellan, Jr. lived a life dedicated to growing God’s kingdom and encouraging others to do the same. And while the National Christian Foundation mourns the loss of this remarkable man of faith, we’re celebrating the lives touched by his unwavering commitment. What a celebration there must have been when he entered through heaven’s gates on April 4.
In 1963, Hugh and his wife, Nancy, moved back to their home in Lookout Mountain, Tennessee after Hugh completed his MBA in Philadelphia. He jumped into his career in business and his career in giving in the same year, joining the board of his family’s foundation, which regularly gave to more than 200 charities each year. This marked the beginning of a lifelong dedication to strategic philanthropy guided by a deep relationship with Jesus Christ.
“You know how we say that only two things from this world make it into the next – The Word of God and souls of people?” his longtime friend, David Wills asks. “Hugh-O lived that out!”
Passionate about evangelism and discipleship, Hugh became one of the earliest supporters of the Jesus Film, a project that has brought the gospel to billions of people worldwide, and he supported evangelism and missions all over the world.
One-on-one discipleship
What set Hugh apart, though, wasn’t just his willingness to give. It was his commitment to give wisely and invite others to do the same. The Maclellan Foundation in Chattanooga became a destination for families seeking guidance on strategic generosity. And it was Hugh they came to see.
“He had this unlimited capacity for people, to challenge and encourage them to be strategic in their generosity,” David shares. “He believed that all of us could give more and give more strategically.”
And when anyone came looking for help along their giving journey, he paused whatever he was doing to meet with them. David says Hugh regularly told others to set a financial finish line, give faithfully to their church, and even told them which ministries they should support. It was this blend of financial wisdom, spiritual insight, and willingness to say what was on his mind that made him such a valued mentor to countless families.
Growing a movement
“Hugh-O was a big risk-taker,” David says. He would often take a chance on ideas, organizations, and leaders he believed in. Todd Harper, who co-founded Generous Giving, is one of those leaders. Generous Giving seeks to help more people experience the joy of generosity and excel in the grace of giving, and they have been one of NCF’s most important partners over the last 20 years. “If not for the vision and generosity of Hugh-O,” Todd says, “it would not exist today.”
Todd remembers the awe he felt when he met him. “He was the first person I ever met who was giving 70 percent of their income away generously and systematically.”
Perhaps one of Hugh’s most enduring contributions was his foundational support of Generous Giving. Through this initiative, he helped foster conversations and experiences that emphasize the joy and freedom that come with a generous life.
And Hugh believed in the importance of the local church. Alongside his support for numerous parachurch organizations, “Hugh was a church man,” David says. He remained deeply engaged in his own congregation and the community around it.
Eternal impact
“Hugh Maclellan’s life was a masterclass in generosity and a powerful testimony to the gospel,” NCF’s Kendra VanderMeulen says. “He modeled what it means to live open-handedly with all that God has entrusted to us. Through his faithful teaching and example, he inspired countless others to embrace lives of biblical generosity. His legacy is not only in what he gave, but in how he pointed people to the generous heart of our Heavenly Father. The ripple effect of his impact will be felt for generations to come.”
More important than any public contribution, however, was Hugh’s devotion to his family. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Nancy Browne Maclellan, and survived by his four children, 22 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.
What will Hugh Maclellan’s legacy be? According to David, it’s found in the family he leaves behind and the foundation that continues the Maclellan family’s giving. But perhaps the fullest measure of his impact was seen the moment he entered heaven.
“I am telling you,” David reflects, “it is possible that tens of millions of people were there to greet him and thank him when he walked in. It’s possible there are hundreds of millions whose lives have been changed because of his influence and the work of the Maclellan Foundation.”
“Well done, good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your master.” – Matthew 25:21
*Source: National Christian Foundation, 04.11.2025.
Hugh and the family foundation were major patrons of Jesus Film Project in the 1990s, and played a vital role in advancing Christ’s kingdom during that time. His legacy, and that of the family, will carry on for decades and even into eternity.
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