05/07/08 - NNHS Newsletter - Clarence Clodfelter, Sr.

Clarence L. Clodfelter, Sr.
(7 Aug 1908 - 4 May 2008)

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 74 years, Virginia; a daughter, Katherine Frances; and five brothers and sisters.

He is survived by a sister, Estella Cranford. He leaves to cherish his memory, three children, Clarence L. Clodfelter Jr. and wife, Polly, Anne C. Tucker and husband, Roy, and Jean Gulick and husband, Jim. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Michael Roy Tucker and wife, Sandra, James Lee Tucker, Pam C. Youngblood and husband, Pat, Paula C. Mobley and husband, Richard, Clarence Lee Clodfelter III and wife, Marcie, David Gulick and wife, Melinda, Virginia B. Rogers and husband, James, and Daniel S. Gulick and wife, Laura; and 15 great-grandchildren, Matthew and Alex Tucker, Mason, Benjamin and Brian Youngblood, Stephen and Katherine Mobley, Jonathan and Lauren Gulick, Kayla, Nathan, Justin and Lindsey Rogers, and Owen and Jackson Gulick.

Clarence, or 'Doc' as he was affectionately known, graduated from the Pharmacy School at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in the spring of 1931. He had always been a loyal North Carolina fan.

Mr. Clodfelter moved to Hampton in the winter of 1943. He became the manager of Whelan's Drug Store on Washington Avenue in Newport News. He managed Whelan's until 1945 when he purchased the W.T. Sale Pharmacy on Kecoughtan Road. He operated it as Kecoughtan Pharmacy until 1969. He opened Brentwood Pharmacy, Nov. 10, 1960, and operated his pharmacy until 1980, when it was sold to his son.

He was a faithful member of Chestnut Avenue Memorial Methodist Church for 65 years and was a member of the Judge Smith Bible Class. One of his proudest accomplishments was that he read the whole Bible in the past several years. He lived in the Wythe area of Hampton and became active in the Wythe Civic Club, serving in several capacities, as president for three years.

He became a Master Mason, Sept. 10, 1946, joining the Bremond Lodge of Newport News and had been a Mason for over 50 years. He was also a member of Knights Templar, St. John Chapter #57, the Commandery, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, and Khedive Shrine for over 50 years. He was a member of the Sons of the Confederacy, Magruder-Ewell Company #99 and the Hampton Mercury Lions Club for many years and was a Melvin Jones Fellow.

He was most proud of his many positions in the Peninsula Pharmacy Association and was president from 1951-1952. He was also secretary of the Virginia Pharmacy Association during 1951-1952.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Leo Bowers and the staff of the Sentara Rehabilitation Center for their help and care of our father during his last few days. We especially wish to thank the staff of the Devonshire for their attentiveness and care towards our dad in the eight years he resided there. From Judy Cunningham, Mary Heath and all the smiling faces that helped care for his needs, we cannot thank you enough. Your care and concern provided security for him and a peace of mind for us. Many, many thanks.

His family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at Peninsula Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, May 9, at Chestnut Memorial United Methodist Church, officiated by the Rev. Larry J. Edmonds.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Chestnut Memorial United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 1024 Harpersville Road, Newport News, VA 23601, or Charity Fund of the Hampton Mercury Lions Club, 615-B Regional Drive, Hampton, VA 23661.

Peninsula Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.

Published in the Daily Press on 5/7/2008.
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