Gary Clements

Gary Wayne Clements, 58, of Caldwell, died on Friday, September 2, 2022. He was born October 1o, 1963, in Palo Alto, Calif. He was the oldest of three children born to Marsha Rae (Marshall) Edelblute and Eddie Clements. His younger siblings are Erin (Stuart) Countryman and Colin (Ginny) Clements.

Gary was raised in Tulsa, Okla., and moved with his family in 1980 to Parsons, Kans. Gary attended Parsons High School, where he graduated in 1982, and felt he was the greaser in the era of the eighties (The Outsiders movie reference). He met his wife Nancy (Hiler) Clements at a Love’s County Store in 1983, and they married on March 18, 1984. Gary enlisted in the Navy that same year, where he served 10 years before receiving an honorable discharge.

Gary and Nancy have two daughters Kirstie Rae born in 1991, and Shelby Garrett, born in 1993. Gary lived in many places, including California, Kansas, Virginia, and Ohio, ultimately residing in Caldwell with his daughter Kirstie, son-in-law Brian, and Grandson Jensen. During the last year living with them, he spent most of his time at home watching his beloved grandson Jensen grow up.

Gary had a love for Ham Radio (call sign K8FRS) that allowed him an incredible career working with special individuals at Fair Radio Sales for a decade. Then he moved back to Kansas in 2013 to be closer to his Father Eddie and help assist Erin in his care. In the last nine years in Kansas, he became very close to his Great Niece Kayleigh and Great Nephew Tyler. Gary enjoyed surrounding himself with family, where he spent evenings playing board games, singing karaoke, racing sims, going on photography adventures, and watching movies with everyone. He also became very close with his Son-in-Law Brian Miller, and they spent the last year building a podcast studio, as well as a shared love for “Mjolner,” a 2020 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack. He also spent a lot of time with Shelby doing mods and working on her Charger.

We almost lost Gary in 2010 when he was putting an antenna up at their home in Ohio; He had Shelby outside spotting for him when it got too close to the power line, and he got electrocuted. He survived it with only a night in the hospital and a few months to heal. He always said,” God had a reason for not taking him home that day.”

He was a rock for so many, the glue that held our family together, a true patriarch that loved and cared for his family deeply. Gary’s belief in telling the truth at all times was of utmost importance in the way he lived his life. Our hearts are broken; he will be missed forever and ever, Amen.

Gary will be laid to rest at Goodel Cemetery in Drury, Ks, near his Father, awaiting to be reunited with his wife, Nancy.

Gary was preceded in death by his Father, Eddie Clements.

He is survived by his Wife Nancy Clements, daughters Kirstie (Brian) Miller and Shelby Clements, grandson Jensen Miller, mother Marsha Rae Edelblute, sister Erin (Stuart) Countryman, brother Colin (Ginny) Clements, aunt Jan (Michael) Farnsworth, many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and extended children he considered family through relationships of his daughters over the years.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, September 9, 2022, at Schaeffer Mortuary in Caldwell, Kansas, with Pastor Kordell Kattenberg officiating. Interment will follow at Goodel Cemetery in Drury, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made payable to the Caldwell Firefighters Association and sent in the care of the mortuary.

Viewing and visitation will be held 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday; and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday.

To share a memory or leave a condolence, please visit: www.schaeffermortuary.info

Arrangements by: Schaeffer Mortuary, 6 N. Main, Caldwell, KS 67022.