Dr. George Lafayette Clement

Dr. George Lafayette Clement was born near Potter, Arkansas on August 14, 1918 to James L. and Caddy (Cook) Clement.  He grew up in the Alder Springs area.   He died on January 8, 2017 at Brandon Woods, in Lawrence, KS.

George was a six-year Veteran of World War II serving as a Chief Gunners Mate aboard Navy destroyers in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters.  On October 2, 1942, he married Ruby Stinnett in Mena, Arkansas.  The couple had two sons.

After his discharge from the Navy in 1946, he worked a year in Mena as a barber, prior to attending college at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.  In 1955, upon receiving his Doctoral degree in Veterinary Medicine, he moved his family to Miller, South Dakota spending a year working at the Miller Veterinary Clinic.

In 1956, the family moved to Howard, South Dakota where Dr. Clement established the Howard Veterinary Clinic and raised Red Angus cattle.  He remained at this practice for twenty-six years during which he served on the Howard School Board and the Howard City Council, serving as president of the Council for one year.  Dr. Clement was active in the South Dakota State Veterinary Medicine Association, serving as both a board member and president of this organization.   Dr. Clement also served on the South Dakota Veterinarian Examining Board.

After George retired from Veterinarian practice in 1981, he and Ruby moved back to Arkansas where he enjoyed working on his tree farm, vegetable garden, and yard.  They enjoyed traveling for many years and visiting their children and grandchildren.  In 2009 the couple moved to Lawrence, KS to be near their oldest son.

He is survived by his sons, G. Edward Clement (Mary Jane), Lawrence, KS; and Donald D. Clement (Denise) Sioux Falls, SD; five grandchildren, Teresa Clement (Larry Pierce) Seattle, WA: Deanna Clement (Matt Miller) Nelson, New Zealand; Robert Clement Kansas City, MO; Katelyn and Kyle Clement, Sioux Falls, SD; two great-grandchildren in New Zealand; and his brother, Newton, in Mena, AR.

George was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby, his parents, brother, James, and sister, June.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Visiting Nurses Hospice 2OO Maine, Third Floor, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Graveside rites with Military Honors will be held at Pine Crest Cemetery, (New Section) in Mena, Arkansas on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at 11:00 AM.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Beasley Wood Funeral Home of Mena.

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Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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