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Theodore A. Clemmens
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Shaw & Sons Funeral Directors
YAKIMA - Theodore A. Clemmens, age 70, of Yakima, WA, passed June 29, 2009 at his home with his family beside him. He was born February 26, 1939 in Yakima, WA to Samuel G. and Lina Ellen (Spratt) Clemmens. He attended schools in Yakima and graduated from Yakima High in 1957. He then attended Washington State University. He spent 8 years in the Marine Corps reserves.
On February 4, 1966 he married Donna Jean (Lane) and made their home in Terrace Heights. After almost a year, they moved to where they grew up on Fairview Ave., now 18th Street.
Ted drove truck for several trucking outfits but last was for Herritt Trucking before becoming a land surveyor for Jaussaud Seward & Associates, he worked there for 43 years before retiring.
Ted was a person who everyone liked. He was a well educated, intelligent, funny, serious, busy person. Family was very important to him. He was a good husband, father and grandfather.
Ted loved flowers and trees and knew what every one was and how to grow them. He and his sister always traded starts of their flowers back and forth. He even has a peanut butter tree that we picked up in OR while going to a yard sale with his sister. Ted was very close to his brothers and sister. He enjoyed spending a lot of quality time with them.
He started the Yakima Valley Chapter of the American Truck Historical Society, and belonged to the Seattle and Oregon Chapters also. He was a long time member of the Yakima Chapter of the Horseless Carriage Club; Yakima Valley Faceters Club; Farm Equipment Club; Yakima and Klickitat Gas Engine Club; the Yakima Valley Studebaker Drivers Club; Truck Club; and at one time the Rock Club.
Ted enjoyed rock digging, restoring antique trucks, cars, gas engines and farm equipment. He enjoyed car shows and all kinds of swap meets. Camping with his family and friends was important as well as fishing. He did a lot of traveling in his younger days. He loved collecting antiques of all kinds. There are a few things that he loved more than others, such as his 1913 Studebaker Touring Car.
He was a man who enjoyed making people smile. On the 4th of July he would get a good share of his gas engines out and running along with his antique washing machines. People going by would stop to look at them. Ted loved to talk and would tell them all about where they came from and what they were used for. He was very informative.
Along with designing and pouring his own rods for his 1926 Model T coupe, he enjoyed making jewelry , faceting stones and collecting rocks. He collected all different kinds of antiques. He and Donna worked together restoring some of his cars and trucks, tinkering with his tractors and flowers and gas engines. He also enjoyed making things for others and helping wherever he could with old cars and trucks. Ted had a winning smile, laugh and what a sense of humor.
Most of all his kids and wife were on top of his list. Simple things were important. Coffee breaks with his special friends, and there were a lot, at Mel's Diner and the Gearjammer Restaurant. Taking his family for rides. Family get togethers were always fun. The guys would always talk about when they were kids and the mischief they could get into, while we women would just sit back and laugh. Boy did they ever get into trouble sometimes. Memories are so special because no matter what happens you always have them to cherish.
He always helped others in need even strangers. Donna remembers when their kids were small he saw a car along side the road with a family of seven. He stopped and took the man to get gas, helped start his car and gave him $40.00 to get whatever they needed. There is so much more she could say about him but it would be like reading a book. He had a very full life.
He will be missed by everyone who loved and knew him. He lived his life to the fullest and cherished his family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents Samuel G. & Lina Ellen (Spratt) Clemmens, sister Ellen (Clemmens) Gochenour and brother Mark Clemmens.
Survivors include his wife Donna Jean (Lane) of 43 years; sons: Sam Clemmens, Federal Way, WA, Tim (Nora) Clemmens, Yakima, WA. Daughter: Pepper Clemmens of Yakima, WA, grandchildren Patricia and Alex of Yakima, WA. There are several who adopted us as grandparents and great grandparents. His brother Steve (Nancy) Clemmens of Benton City, WA. Sister's husband Ron Gochenour of Newberg, OR. Sister-in-law: Verla (Chuck) Row of Yakima, WA, brothers-in-law Rick (Darlene) Lane of Olympia, WA, Larry Lane of Yakima, WA. Ken (Elaine) Goudy who was like a brother. So many wonderful nieces, nephews, & cousins. His aunt Winnie (Spratt), uncle Al Krage.
The family would like to thank all of his family & friends for their support and prayers during his illness. Also Hospice for their support and help with making him comfortable.
And a special thanks to those who catered to his every little need and made him smile even on a bad day.
Viewing will be Wednesday from 3 pm to 7 pm at Shaw & Sons Funeral Directors. The service will be held at West Side Church, 6901 Summitview Ave., Yakima, WA at 11:00 am on Thursday. Burial will follow at Tahoma Cemetery. There will be a gathering following at West Side Church.
Shaw & Sons is entrusted with arrangements.
Family would like to encourage those with old cars & trucks to bring them and say good bye to a great guy.
Donations may be made to the West Side Church.
