Richard was born on August 8, 1932 and passed away on August 1, 2019. Richard was a resident of Long Beach, California
We will be celebrating Richard Clements' Life at Cypress Church on August 24th, 2019 at 1 pm.
6143 Ball Rd, Cypress, CA 90630
Visitation will be August 12th, 2019 at Forest Lawn's Hope Chapel from 3 pm through 7pm.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the organization The Gideons International at https://www.gideons.org/donate
Richard R. Clements August 8, 1932 â August 1, 2019
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In life and in the legal profession, Richard R. "Dick" Clements was always a towering man. Tall, tan and a curious intellect, Clements was also armed with a very quick wit and nearly always wore a smile.
"Often I'd text my dad, 'How are you?' Dad's common answer; 'tolerable,' according to his youngest daughter Jennie. "Lately, however, he would, until this week text me back "vertical".
"On my parents 60th wedding anniversary, my dad went from "vertical" to "horizontal' and sadly, our loss was heavens gain," she said.
Richard (Dick) Clements was born Aug. 8th 1932, to Richard and Gladys Clements of Long Beach California. He was their first born and older brother of John Clements. He attended Naples Elementary, Rogers Middle School, and Wilson High School. He graduated from Wilson in 1950.
Richard graduated with a bachelor's degree in business from the University of Redlands in 1954. He was class and fraternity officer of Phi Delta Phi fraternity and a varsity letterman in swimming and football. When he was home for Christmas in 1955, Richard was drafted into the Korean War by the Army and served in active duty in Germany from 1955 through 1956. During this time, he became a Christian and his deeply held convictions would guide his moral compass for the rest of his life.
In 1958, Richard went on a blind date and met Karen Broman, the love of his life. On their third date he proposed and they were married on August 1st 1959. Soon to follow were three beautiful children; all girls. Cindy, Kristy, and Jennie.
In 1960, Richard earned his law degree from USC and was admitted to the bar in 1961. Richard also became a popular Long Beach lifeguard when he patrolled the beaches during his summers while attending law school.
His many accomplishments include; President of The Lawyer's Club, board of trustees for the bar association, board of directors for the United Way, panelist and lecturer on bankruptcy law. He was also a founding member of The Cypress Church (Evangelical Free Church of America), a board member for the Long Beach Rescue Mission and the Long Beach Servicemen's Center, a charter member of the trustees for California Lutheran University, and a member of The Gideon's International.
Richard was preceded in death by Richard Clements Sr., Gladys Clements, and John Clements. He is survived by his wife, Karen, and his daughters, Cindy, Kristy and Jennie.