In Memoriam: Phil McCloud

Phil McCloud, longtime leader of McCloud Services, passed away on Dec. 30, at age 74.

McCloud Services was founded as W.B. McCloud & Company in 1904 by Phil’s great-grandfather, William Bailey McCloud. It was later taken over by Phil’s grandfather, Walter McCloud, and then by Phil's father, Tom McCloud.

Phil’s earliest memory was of making bait for the company at eight years old, as recounted in a PCT article. “I always knew, even as a little kid, that we had this wonderful company that made us different. We owned something, and I felt important, even at the age of eight. I always was told by my dad that we were the Rolls Royce of pest control.”

Phil joined the company full-time as a sales representative in 1972, eventually taking over as president in 1985, when Tom McCloud went into semi-retirement. 

A charismatic leader with a knack for selling commercial business, Phil carried on the McCloud legacy, growing the business from $1 million to $23 million. Working alongside brother Chris (16 years his junior), the two polar-opposite personalities were able to blend their talents and lead the company to next level growth and development. Chris succeeded Phil as president of the McCloud Services in 2007, and Phil took on the role as “Director of Magic.”

Phil sold McCloud Services to Chris in 2014, but he retained McCloud Aquatics, the Chicago-based aquatic weed and algae management company that the McCloud family established in 1962. His sons are fifth-generation service providers: T.J. is president of McCloud Aquatics, while Josh is owner of Missoula, Mont.-based HoldFast Enviro Pest Solutions. 

Phil is survived by wife Leslie, sons Josh and T.J. McCloud, and numerous other family members. A celebration of Phil's life will be held in June.