Mr. Jack Clemons, 83, departed this life August 29, 2016 at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital, following an extended illness.
Jack was born November 4, 1932 in the Rhodesville community of West Lauderdale County, the son of Elmer and Myrtle Wesson Clemons. After spending his youth as a farmer, he married Carrie Louise Murphy of the Second Creek community on May 31, 1952. They settled in the Shoals area, where their children, Gail, Harold, and Regina were born.
After several years of working for Tennessee Valley Butane, Jack opened his own company, Tri-Cities Gas, in 1961. He operated the thriving business for the next forty years, cultivating a reputation as a generous employer and an honest businessman. He was a member of the Alabama Propane Gas Association and the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association.
Jack loved hunting, fishing, travel, football, gardening, guitar picking, cooking, and farming. His pheasant dinners were legendary and his pan-fried quail and gravy breakfasts were unforgettable.
After his retirement from the propane business in 2002, he devoted the bulk of his time to cattle-ranching operations on his beloved farm in the Oakland community, where he was well known as a friendly and welcoming neighbor to all. More than anything, Jack loved his family. He was always happiest when his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were together on the back porch of his home overlooking Shoal Creek in St. Florian, with steaks on the grill and laughter in the air. His presence in our lives was huge, and his humor, compassion, and generosity of spirit will never be forgotten by anyone who had the good fortune to have known him.
Visitation will be Friday from 12-2 pm at Greenview Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 2 pm in the chapel, with Rev. Dwayne McDuff officiating.
Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
Honorary pallbearers will be John Higginbotham, Jim Perkins, Ed Lovelace, Skeeter Hyde, and Tim Higgins.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Myrtle, and brothers, Glen, EJ, Bill, Eugene, and Larry; sisters, Omie V. Rhodes, Maurine Smith, and Jane King.
Jack leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife of 64 years, Carrie Louise Murphy Clemons; his children, Gail (Lane) Sutherland of Florence, Harold Clemons of Dallas, Texas, Regina (Jeff) Gresham of Florence; sisters, Eloise Palmer Harrison, Ellene Smith, and Mary Balentine, all of Florence; grandchildren, Bryan Cabler (Wendy) of Boone, NC, Adam Cabler of Portland, OR, Tiffany Cabler Daily (Russell) of Florence, Jessica Gresham of Huntsville, AL, Jeffrey Gresham of Florence, Lauren and Leah Clemons of Atlanta, GA, and Jason and Jonathan Clemons of Dallas, TX; great-grandchildren Jack Cabler of Portland, OR, Norah and Camille Daily of Florence; Major Gresham of Florence.
The family would like to thank Tennessee Valley Hospice and nurse Sue Mills, as well as Jack’s caregivers, Kay, Joni, and Judy, for their care and support.
