Joseph Michael Clemens
September 30, 1927 - May 27, 2008
Obituary
Joseph Michael Clemens
Born in South Sioux City, NE, on September 30, 1927, Joe died peacefully May 27, 2008, at home in Federal Way, WA, surrounded by family. Attended Trinity H.S. Sioux City, IA and Cathedral H.S. Omaha, NE, class of ’46. US Army paratrooper, 11th Airborne Division, the Philippines & Japan. Attended Creighton & Marquette Universities; BS Civil Engineering, 1952. At Marquette’s Triangle Fraternity, Joe met Carrol Helen Pauley; they married October 4, 1952. Successful 26-year career at Boeing; test engineer, NASA Apollo Saturn V booster rocket; AWACS engineer, NATO Europe. Knight of Columbus for over 60 years; first Grand Knight, St. Joseph Council 7528, active member St. Theresa’s Council 7908. Federal Way Symphony board member. Member Federal Way Kiwanis Club. Actor and director, Slidell LA Little Theater. He deeply loved his family and friends and dedicated himself to his parish and community. Joe could fix anything with a Visegrip and a butter knife. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Carrol; sons John Mara Yovits, Mark, and Dan Cynthia Clemens; daughters Cindy Rod LaRocque, Kathy Bob Luxa, and Jane Rankin; grandchildren Branden, Chris, Elizabeth, Joe, Nick, Ryan, and Sean Clemens, Jessica and Shelbey Howard, Aubrey Rankin, Colin Smith, and Katie Luxa; and great-grandson Jack Haydon. Also survived by brothers Bill and Dick Mary Ann Clemens and sisters Terri Mike Darby and Carol Jeanne Fitzgibbons. Predeceased by parents John Michael and Helen Theresa Twohig Clemens, brother John F. Clemens, and sister Gerry Dougherty. Joe’s life will be celebrated at a Funeral Mass, 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 6, St. Theresa Catholic Church, 3939 SW 331st St., Federal Way; reception to follow in parish hall. Private inurnment at Tahoma National Cemetery. Arrangements by Bonney-Watson, Federal Way, WA. Please sign the guest book at www.bonneywatson.com. In lieu of flowers, donations requested to St. Theresa Building Fund or the Federal Way Symphony.
I am sorry that I met Joe so late in life. He was a great guy, and we enjoyed him at our Kiwanis meetings.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. The Nolan Family
God Bless Uncle Joe.
Will be sharing a word.doc with Aunt Carrol today.
Love you all, Billy
Sorry to hear about Joe’s death. I worked with him for many years on both the Apollo and AWACS programs. Joe was a hard worker and one you could always count on. Additionly he was a fine human being.
We met Joe when he brought Eucharist to Joe following surgery.In talking with him he became my sponser with RCIA last year. It was a great pleasure meeting such a dear man. God bless you Joe.
Our deepest sympothy to Joe’s Family. Joe was a kind, outgoing gentleman who will be missed by all of us who knew him.
Tom Snead
PGK St Theresa Council 7908
Dad, you taught me how to struggle with life’s obstacles, and to never quit. You used an eclectic approach to problem-solving and always focused on the solution when others were immobilized with fear of the challenge. You are the most successful man I have ever known. You felt deeply and were a sensitive, even sentimental, man, despite how you might have appeared outwardly. You were an ample provider, covering our family’s needs and then some. You loved people and could name each and every one of your friends and associates. A true “people person,” you easily made friends wherever you went. Throughout your engineering career, you were skilled, effective, and respected. As always before, I follow in your big footsteps and hope that I can be as successful as you were in making the world a better place. One could not have a better pattern than yours for a life well lived. May you rest in the peace that you have so richly earned and deserve. I fervently and earnestly pray that the Lord grant you eternal rest, Dad, and may His perpetual light shine upon you forever. We mourn for the loss of you from our midst, and we look forward to the joyful time when we are reunited with you in the presence of the Lord Our God.
I am sending my heartfelt condolences in the lost of Joe. The world is sadder place with his leaving us all behind. You deserve your eternal rest. God Bless
I would like to send our deepest sympathy to Aunt Carroll and cousins in Washington. Uncle Joe was loved by all of the Darby’s here in Nebraska. Grandma Clemens now has three of her little children with her up in heaven. Much love to all.
Cathy Faires, Omaha Nebraska
My deepest sympathy to the family. I know that Joesph will be missed, but his love lives on in your hearts.