Farewell to a leader

Othello community remembers Les Clemons in memorial service

OTHELLO — Those who knew Les Clemons for a lifetime were there. Those who barely knew him were there, too.

Even those who did not know him at all were there, comforting those mourning his death.

Nearly 150 people filled the pews of First Presbyterian Church in Othello to honor one last time the memory of Clemons, former Othello city councilman and longtime community leader, who died last week in a hit-and-run accident outside his home.

"Les is loved because he loved others," said Brian Gentry, former president of the Greater Othello Chamber of Commerce. "It rips me apart knowing I'll never see Les coming through the door."

Kathy Anderson, a member of the church, said Clemons was a man of strong faith that brought integrity to the community.

In a service where tears mixed with laughter, speakers highlighted Clemons' undying dedication for his community and what he saw as the secret of Clemons' strength.

To Rev. P. Wayne Townsend, joy was the power behind Clemons' strength. He told the crowd that joy is not happiness, but instead, it is the strength that sees you through sorrow for the benefit of others.

"The shadows of his life were overcome by his joy," Townsend said. Clemons lost a son to lung cancer earlier in his life and last December, Dot, his wife of 64 years died.

"Knowing that Dot and Les are happy and healthy helps ease the pain of the loss," Anderson said, adding that to Clemons, 64 years of marriage had not been enough.

Townsend asked the crowd not to focus on the "senseless" way Clemons died, but instead to celebrate his life and emulate it.

After the ceremony, Bernadette Lewis, whose daughter Laura is Clemons' daughter-in-law, said the late public servant was a great role model.

"He was always thinking of others," Lewis said. "He was a beautiful person."

Bill Clemons, Les Clemons' son, said that he knew his father was involved in the community but did not know how many lives he had touched.

"The response is overwhelming," he said. "We didn't know how loved he was.

"We are moved and very grateful."