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Eugene “Snowy” Clements, 84

Eugene R. Clements, 84, of Blair, died Saturday, May 15, 2004, at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Blair.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 19, at the Campbell-Aman Funeral Home in Blair.

Eugene R. Clements was born Aug. 26, 1919 in Gillette, Wyo., to Claude and Irene (Lowe) Clements. He graduated from Herman High School in 1937.

On Feb. 1, 1946, he married Myrle Lambert; she died in 1961. On May 18, 1963, he married Joan Giesselman in Arlington.

“Snowy” lived in the Herman and Blair areas most of his life. After serving in the Army during World War II, he moved to Blair, where he began his trade as a plumber. He never advertised, however, relying only on word of mouth. His reputation for doing quality work was well-known throughout the county. Very rarely did he turn anyone away, no matter what the weather was like, the time of day, or on a holiday. He always made an effort to help, and many times charged little or nothing for his time.

His greatest passion may have been for baseball. He played baseball for many years and loved to watch games on television, even up to his death. He was “old school” when it came to baseball: Run hard, play hard, and do your talking on the field. Growing up, he followed the Detroit Tigers but with the advent of cable TV, he became an avid Cubs fan.

In many Blair circles, he was revered as one of the most knowledgeable baseball devotees around. He loved sharing stories about playing ball in the service, the Pioneer Night League, and Dodge County League. His favorite story was telling about the time he faced Hall of Farmers Bob Feller and Satchiel Paige.

In 1979, Mr. Clements was instrumental in helping restart town team baseball in Blair. He helped coach for three years before becoming strictly a spectator. He could always be found sitting in his van at Vet’s Field, catching a legion or town team game. He also instilled and passed on his love of sports to his children.

Another of his favorite pastimes was playing cards. Games like pitch, euchre, rummy, bridge, pinochle and cribbage were his favorites. He could usually be found playing a card game in the late afternoon somewhere before going home for supper. Family card games were the norm on Sunday evenings.

He also enjoyed fishing. Summer vacations included taking the family to Minnesota for fishing. Later, when his children were older, he continued taking fishing trips with his brother, Wilbur, and other close friends.

He loved to laugh and joke around with anyone and everyone. He was considered somewhat of a practical joker with a wry sense of humor and was quick witted. Though the location may have moved over the years, he was always a regular for the afternoon coffee roundtable.

He was a member of the Blair VFW.

He is survived by his wife, Joan; sons and daughters-in-law, Roger and Wanda Clements of Fremont, Saylor and Cheryl Clements of Blair, Mark Clements of Maryville, Mo.; three daughters and a son-in-law, Merri and Dan Dibben, and Karen Clements, all of Blair, and Patricia; brother and sister-in-law, Wilbur and Imogene Clements of Blair; sisters-in-law, Geraldine Clements and Grace Poore.

He was preceded in death by a son, Milo; and a brother, Vernon.

Memorials are suggested to the Veterans Memorial, Blair Rescue squad, or Good Shepherd Home.

Omaha World Herald 17 May 2004

Clements – Gene (Snowy), age 84, Blair, NE. Survived by wife, Joan; 3 sons and daughters-in-law, Saylor and Cheryl, Blair, NE, Mark, Marysville, MO, Roger and Wanda, Fremont, NE; 3 daughters and son-in-law, Merri and Dan Dibben, Blair, NE, Karen Clements, Blair, NE, Patricia; 12 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; brother and sisters-in-law, Wilbur and Imogene, Blair, NE, Geraldine Clements, Blair, NE.

Memorial Service 10:30am Wed at Campbell Aman Funeral Home. No Visitation.

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home, Blair, NE 402-426-2191

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~