Beauford “Beau” Hampton Clemens was born in Portland, Oregon, on Feb. 5, 1921, and was the first son of Jesse and Wade Clemens. The oldest of five brothers and one sister, he was raised in Klamath Falls, Oregon. His sister, Marilyn Smith, is his only surviving sibling.
Beau attended Oregon State University when World War II began and enlisted in the Army. He was sent to northern California to train as a pilot; however, the Lord had other plans and he ended up in southern California training for the infantry. He met the love of his life, Marjorie (Margie) Maxwell, at a USO dance in Newport Beach. Margie brought him home to meet her parents and the rest is history. They were married June 12, 1943.
Soon, Beau was called up to fight in WWII. A daughter, Cynthia (Cindy), was born in 1944. Beau did not get to meet his daughter until she was 15 months old when he returned home from the war. He served in Patton’s Army and fought throughout Europe in the infantry.
Beau served in the National Guard after the war and was again called to serve his country as a lieutenant during the Korean Conflict. When he returned, his son Bruce was born in 1955.
Beau and Margie were married for 67 years before she went home to the Lord on Oct. 18, 2011. They are survived by their children Cynthia DeLano (Ed). of Ridgefield, Washington, and Bruce Clemens (Mary), of Fallbrook, California. Beau leaves eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He leaves behind many nieces and nephews scattered from Florida to Alaska and from California to New York.
Beau had many great achievements during his lifetime. He enjoyed memberships in many organizations over the years, but was most proud of being a Master Mason and a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason.
Another of his achievements was celebrating his 100th birthday. He enjoyed a drive-by with 60 to 80 cars. His celebration included the National Guard of Oregon, the Masons of Washington and Oregon, the Gideons of Washington, his church family from Highland Lutheran and many other friends he met during his last five years in Washington.
Beau believed in scattering kindness wherever he went. He always had something in his pocket with which to gift others, be it trinkets or Andes mints or wooden crosses, because he loved to “scatter good” wherever he could.
A celebration of life was held at Highland Lutheran Church on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. Donations can be made in his name at Highland Lutheran Church or for the Gideons International.
He will be remembered with love by friends and family alike. He was truly one of a kind. We like to think of him dancing with Margie in his new heavenly home.
We all love and miss you Dad, Grandpa Beau.
