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Gary William Clement was born in Salem, Oregon on September 30, 1942. He was the firstborn of Bob & Merie Clement and he had one sibling, a sister, Karen Mason (spouse Tom) of Salem. He lived his entire life in the Willamette Valley.
Gary lived in Four Corners until sixth grade when the family moved to Brooks. He attended Brooks Elementary and graduated from Gervais Union High School in 1960. After high school, he joined the Army serving in Fort Belvoir, VA, Korea, and Fort Bragg, NC as an Engineer of Equipment Maintenance. He returned home on leave in December of 1962 to marry his high school sweetheart, Mary Dunn of North Howell. Mary and Gary had three children, W. Scott Clement (spouse S. Lynne), Donald Clement (spouse Suzanne) and Kitrena Patton (spouse R. Van).
Like his father, Gary drove truck for a living. He hauled fuel for Truax, Capitol City Transfer and Mobil Oil, and feed for Albers, Land O’Lakes and Foster Farms. He became a grandfather in 1999 with the arrival of granddaughter Mary Beth Clement. In 2000, two granddaughters (Lindsey Widmer and Erin Widmer) and a great-granddaughter (Cloey Widmer) were added to the family. The final addition came in September of 2000 when grandson Dawson Patton was born. Gary enjoyed his grandkids immensely.
After retiring in 2004 he could be found drinking coffee, reading, napping, watching movies at home or mowing grass. He was always quick to lend a hand or loan a book, movie, tool or equipment to someone. He enjoyed volunteering for Antique Powerland Museum Association (APMA), the Oregon Vintage Machinery Museum featuring John Deere (of which he was a co-founder) and the Great Oregon Steam-Up.
He was diagnosed with lung cancer in November of 2016 and remained active and independent much longer than expected. On October 2, 2018, per his wishes, he died at home surrounded by family.
Gary was easy to talk to and made many friends throughout his life. He will be remembered for his undeniable sweet tooth, fun-loving personality, creative use of the English language and his love of wintergreen Altoids.
True to Gary’s style, there will be no formal memorial service. Instead, an open house Celebration of Life will be held at Gary and Mary’s home in Silverton on Saturday, October 13th from 11a.m. - 3p.m. All are invited to share stories, laughter and enjoy coffee and dessert.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Antique Powerland Museum Association (APMA), or the American Cancer Society.
The celebration of my husband's 40th birthday took place at Gary and Mary's place. We are forever grateful for their hospitality! Gary was a great man and will be missed! Prayers, love and thoughts to the rest of the family as they navigate their new normal! Much love!
Prayers to the Clement family as you navigate your new "normal". I'll always remember Gary's booming laugh and smile!
My condolences,
Tamela Gardner Unrein
I had the pleasure to meet Gary and Mary when their daughter Kitrena married a very good friend of mine. They both welcomed my family and treated us as part of theirs and that generosity will never be forgotten. As I got to know Gary a little more we realized that he used to deliver fuel out to my Grandparents country store in Suver Oregon. Gary was truly a great man and I am so thankful to have gotten the chance to know him a little bit. Mary, Kitrena, Van and the rest of his family and friends. I am so sorry for your loss.
Gary was a amazing man, knowing him from 6th grade he and Mike Hawley and I were great pals catching polly wogs and hunting for petrified wood. Then on to GUHS remained friends He and Mary were my neighbors for many years involved in North Howell adventures. Then Powerland continued the adventure, watching him cut grass and his love for John Deere always the two of them doing whatever needed done-It will never be the same with only half of the two love birds..
Dear Clement family – I’m so sorry for your loss, and am praying for God’s comfort now and in the days to come. With love, Bryan Schaap
Gary was a good . I could embellish this by adding honest, moral, generous etc. Good man covers it all. I am going to miss him.
Even though we are first cousins I didn't really get to know Gary until we got older. He loved the family reunions and was a big hugger. He and Mary were a great couple and raised wonderful children.
A father's love gives his children wings. He must have loved you all so much, because he certainly raised loving children. I see that well in Kitrena. Even being a hospice nurse cannot prepare you for this; I am so sorry for your loss.
So honored to know Gary & Mary and their family through their wonderful daughter, Kitrena. Gary made me laugh so hard with his “Garyisms”, and smile big when he’d shout “Get over here, kid” and give me a huge hug any time we’d meet. The way he treated my family will never be forgotten. He was generous and kind and silly and fun, and I will miss him; but I know he lives on in the multitudes of friends and family he knew and loved. Godspeed, Gary.
A mark of a good man is in the quality of family he raised; he is a great men. Thank you for trusting Johnson Funeral Home with his arrangements.