Jesse D Clemence

Jesse Daniel Clemence, age 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on 1 June 2025. He is survived by his significant other, Jeanne, son Danny (Tammy), daughter Leslie (Westley) grandchildren Daniel, Michael (Jacq), Christian (Abby), Jillian (Garrett), Alyson (PJ), and Logan (Alexia), great grandchildren Rosaleigh, Isaac, Conan, Carson, Remington, Colt, Quinn, Porter, Palmer and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife Shirley, son, William, parents Frederick and Beatrice, and his siblings, Frederick, Beatrice, Dixon, DeVonde, Dorothy, Delores, Beatrice, Betty, Donna, and Dorlea.

Jesse was born in Pennsylvania and joined the U.S. Air Force at the age of 17. He served faithfully for over 20 years, including nearly two years in Vietnam and Thailand, before retiring to Hollywood, FL. His servant heart continued throughout his life, leading, volunteering and serving at many events with the VA, Elks, Moose, VFW, Eagles and many others, as well as helping neighbors and friends in need. He spent his final year and half with family in Louisville, KY. Throughout his life he was loved by many and left a cheerful and encouraging mark on those who befriended him. His love, smile and sense of humor are already missed!

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, 16 November at the Florida Elks Youth Camp, Smith Center Ballroom, 24175 SE Hwy 450, Umatilla, FL 32784 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. A Military Honors Funeral will be held on Monday, 17 November at the Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, FL 33513 at 10:30. In lieu of flowers, we ask for a one time donation to one of the Elks Foundation Charities: https://web.charityengine.net/floridaelks-donate-2025x2

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side,

spreads their white sails to the moving breeze and starts

for the blue ocean. They are an object of beauty and strength.

I stand and watch them until, at length, they hang like a speck

of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then, someone at my side says, "There, they are gone."

Gone where?

Gone from my sight. That is all. They are just as large in mast,

hull and spar as they were when they left my side.

And, they are just as able to bear their load of living freight to their destined port.

Their diminished size is in me -- not in them.

And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, they are gone,"

there are other eyes watching them coming, and other voices

ready to take up the glad shout, "Here they come!"

And that is dying...

Death comes in its own time, in its own way.

Death is as unique as the individual experiencing it.

~Henry Van Dyke