Tommie Lee Clemens Obituary

Mr. Tommie Lee Clemens, 87 of Port St. Joe Beach passed away Wednesday, May 6, 2009.  Born in Evansville, IN he spent his young years in Mounds City, IL on the Mississippi River.  Tommie moved to Port St. Joe after retiring from the United States Air Force as a SSGT in 1963.  He was a 1930's Harley "Indian Chief" rider, and a 1930's mechanic for Ford Motor Co, and a pilot from the 1940's who flew in the Reno-Las Vegas area.  Tommie loved auto racing, car building and was a natural artist in both oil and pencil drawings.  He was awarded two bronze stars for serving as a heavy machine gunner in the New Guinea and Luzon Campaigns during WWII.  While stationed in PA he served on a team to safe guard and maintain the aircraft for the President Ikes's plane in the 1950's, later finishing his career as a B-52 mechanic and crew chief in the 1960's during the Cold War at Loring Air Force Base in Maine.  He was awarded many medals and service awards during his 20 years in the United States Air Force.  Tommie loved the beauty of everyday life, the stars, the moon and the sky.  He was also a devoted husband and dad.  Tommie is preceded in death by his wife, Martha Lee Clemens and his parents.  He is survived by his family who called him "Daddy and Granddaddy", two daughter, Kaye Frances Reed of Port St. Joe and Joyce Clemens Niecieski of Panama City, one son, Rodger Ward Clemens and wife, Ann of Chino, CA, grandchildren, Victoria Reed of Columbia, SC, Shannon Parrish of Port St. Joe, Veronica Colley, Tony Marshall and Michael Hall all of the Panama City area, great-grandchildren, two cousins who he grew up with, J.B. Reeves of Panama City and Betty Jean King of Roseville, CA and several second cousins.  Graveside services for Tommie were conducted Friday, May 8, 2009 at 11:00 AM EST in the Holly Hill Cemetery with Rev. Dave Fernandez officiating. Interment followed with full military honors. Expressions of sympathy maybe submitted at www.southerlandfamily.com

SOUTHERLAND FAMILY FUNERAL HOMES

100 East 19th Street

Panama City, FL. 32405

850-785-8532