1943
James
2020
James Leroy Clemmer
January 13, 1943 — September 17, 2020
James Leroy Clemmer, age 77, of Kennesaw, Georgia passed away Thursday, September 17, 2020. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, September 25, 2020 at West Cobb Funeral Home and Crematory Chapel in Marietta, GA. with Rev. Randy Cheek officiating. Interment will follow at Kennesaw Memorial Park in Marietta.
Jim was born in Texas City, Texas, on January 13, 1943 and was the eldest son of Helen and Virgil Clemmer. He grew up in Vidor and Beaumont, Texas and graduated from Vidor High School in 1961. He moved to Fort Walton, Florida before moving to Atlanta and then spent the last thirty years in Kennesaw. He was the owner and operator of Vacuum World Inc. in Decatur, Sandy Springs and Kennesaw, and had many loyal customers who regretted seeing him retire and close the business. Through his business, Jim came to know Patty Loveless and her spouse.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his son, Cameron Clemmer, and his brother, William Clemmer. He is survived by his wife, Deborah Pitts, his children and step children, Monica Clemmer Ritchie, San Antonio, Texas, Jason Clemmer, San Antonio, Texas, Mark Clemmer, San Antonio, Texas, Shane Bishop, Dallas, GA, Casey Bishop, Jasper, GA, Adam Clemmer, Rockmart, GA, Ryan Pitts, Kennesaw, GA and Chris and Karen Glisson of Acworth, GA.; siblings, Janice (Alan) Heathman, Cedar Park, TX, Kenny (Wendy) Clemmer, Lexington, TX and sister in law, Kay Clemmer, Vidor, TX.; six grandchildren, one great grandchild and many nieces and nephews.
In Jim's teenage years, he worked with his dad in Nicaragua doing refrigeration. He was also a lifeguard in Vidor, Texas where he met George Jones' daughter. In 1960, he won 3rd place in student welding from the Vocational Industrial Club of Texas. He worked for Dairy Maid and Beaumont Enterprise Journal in 1961 and 1962. He received a Quilt of Valor in October, 2019 and was a golden glove boxer in high school and in the Army.
He joined the Army in 1963 where he served for ten years as a Captain, Helicopter Pilot, and Paratrooper. He served with the Army Green Beret 5th Special Forces, 18 Airborne Corps in Fort Bragg, N.C., Med Corpsman/Radio Operator in Fort Sam Houston, TX, Reserve Warrant Office/Army Aviation in Fort Rucker, Alabama, 16th Calvary Vietnam Squad Commander where he served three tours in Vietnam and the 4th Armored Division and completed his service in Germany. In 1968, John Wayne spent a weekend with Jim's Special Forces Group, preparing for the movie, "Green Berets' in which John Wayne starred and directed. It was partially filmed in Columbus, Georgia at Fort Benning.
The family will receive friends on Friday, September 25, 2020 from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm at West Cobb Funeral Home and Crematory in Marietta.
Online guest book at www.westcobbfuneralhome.com .
Jim was born in Texas City, Texas, on January 13, 1943 and was the eldest son of Helen and Virgil Clemmer. He grew up in Vidor and Beaumont, Texas and graduated from Vidor High School in 1961. He moved to Fort Walton, Florida before moving to Atlanta and then spent the last thirty years in Kennesaw. He was the owner and operator of Vacuum World Inc. in Decatur, Sandy Springs and Kennesaw, and had many loyal customers who regretted seeing him retire and close the business. Through his business, Jim came to know Patty Loveless and her spouse.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his son, Cameron Clemmer, and his brother, William Clemmer. He is survived by his wife, Deborah Pitts, his children and step children, Monica Clemmer Ritchie, San Antonio, Texas, Jason Clemmer, San Antonio, Texas, Mark Clemmer, San Antonio, Texas, Shane Bishop, Dallas, GA, Casey Bishop, Jasper, GA, Adam Clemmer, Rockmart, GA, Ryan Pitts, Kennesaw, GA and Chris and Karen Glisson of Acworth, GA.; siblings, Janice (Alan) Heathman, Cedar Park, TX, Kenny (Wendy) Clemmer, Lexington, TX and sister in law, Kay Clemmer, Vidor, TX.; six grandchildren, one great grandchild and many nieces and nephews.
In Jim's teenage years, he worked with his dad in Nicaragua doing refrigeration. He was also a lifeguard in Vidor, Texas where he met George Jones' daughter. In 1960, he won 3rd place in student welding from the Vocational Industrial Club of Texas. He worked for Dairy Maid and Beaumont Enterprise Journal in 1961 and 1962. He received a Quilt of Valor in October, 2019 and was a golden glove boxer in high school and in the Army.
He joined the Army in 1963 where he served for ten years as a Captain, Helicopter Pilot, and Paratrooper. He served with the Army Green Beret 5th Special Forces, 18 Airborne Corps in Fort Bragg, N.C., Med Corpsman/Radio Operator in Fort Sam Houston, TX, Reserve Warrant Office/Army Aviation in Fort Rucker, Alabama, 16th Calvary Vietnam Squad Commander where he served three tours in Vietnam and the 4th Armored Division and completed his service in Germany. In 1968, John Wayne spent a weekend with Jim's Special Forces Group, preparing for the movie, "Green Berets' in which John Wayne starred and directed. It was partially filmed in Columbus, Georgia at Fort Benning.
The family will receive friends on Friday, September 25, 2020 from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm at West Cobb Funeral Home and Crematory in Marietta.
Online guest book at www.westcobbfuneralhome.com .
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Leroy Clemmer, please visit our flower store.
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Visitation
Friday, September 25, 2020
1:00 - 2:00 pm (Eastern time)
West Cobb Funeral Home and Crematory
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Friday, September 25, 2020
2:00 - 3:00 pm (Eastern time)
West Cobb Funeral Home and Crematory Chapel
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