Gilbert Lowell Clemons

June 1, 1919 – May 20, 2013

Gilbert Lowell Clemons passed away at the Veterans Administration on May 20, 2013. He was a resident of Sheridan County for 26 years.

Gil was born June 1, 1919 in Ellsworth, KS to Lurie and Ree Clemons and attended grade schools there. He had one sister, Janis Marie. The family moved to Boulder Colorado where he attended High School. He was active in the band and played the trumpet. His parents and Gil played for churches in the area, he with the trumpet or Hawaiian guitar, his dad on the saxophone and his mom on the piano. He married Jean Anderson on March 16, 1940 and had one son, Dewey Clemons.

In High School, Gil learned the cabinetry trade and later residential and commercial construction. He worked at Remington Arms as a machine operator, and then moved to Long Beach, CA in 1941 and helped make P-T boats for the war effort.

On May 13, 1944 he joined the U.S. Navy and served on the Yorktown CV-10 as a catapulter of aircraft, which was involved in many bombings of islands in the South Pacific. During the latter days of WWII they bombed Japan and were near the U.S.S Missouri when the Peace Treaty was signed with Japan. He was honorably discharged as Seaman First Class on January 10, 1946. His first marriage dissolved after he returned home.

He resumed his career in residential and commercial construction, and married Helen McDonald of Lusk, WY on June 14, 1947. They got into the chicken and egg business and as a sideline raised boxer dogs and won many awards at shows.

He retired in 1981. He belonged to the carpenter’s Union Local 55 in Denver for 54 years. His wife Helen passed away after a long illness.

Gilbert Married Joyce Carlson on July 3, 1987 and they moved to Sheridan. Together they built two homes in Knode Subdivision, and in 1995 moved into town. He was both Vice President and President of Knode Subdivision, and also belonged to the AARP Chapter 676 and served 2 terms as President.

He also loved designed homes and teaching apprentice carpenters, as well as doing stained glass. He and Mike Orr built a number of porches on homes in Sheridan as well as remodeling homes. He was very fond of animals and dearly loved his pets.

He has been a member of VFW Post 1771, Lafayette, Colorado since 1945.

Mr. Clemons is survived by his wife, son Dewey Clemons and daughter-in-law Sue Clemons, grandson Jeffery Clemons, and granddaughter Amy Attwood (spouse Gavin Attwood) and great grandsons Maxwell and Zakary Attwood all of Littleton, Colorado, and brother-in-law Rev. Lee Reichstein, a niece Lisa and nephew Richard Reichstein.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his former wife Helen McDonald, and his sister Janis Marie Reichstein.

Cremation has taken place. Graveside services will be held at Highland Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.

Memorials may be given to the Dog and Cat Shelter.

Champion Ferries Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Many thanks to the Veterans Administration for their loving and kind physical, mental and spiritual help for Gilbert L. Clemons during his stay at the V.A.

Gil loved all veterans and wore daily an American flag pin on his shirt in memory of the fallen.

Lovingly,

The Clemons & Carlson families

‍