George Bernard Clement passed away on March 16, 2023 at the age of 97 in Mount Dora, Florida, where he had lived since 1953. George was the son of Dr. George and Annie Clement and was born and raised in Pontotoc, Mississippi along with his 11 brothers and sisters. He often joked that his front yard was the courthouse town square while his backyard was Mississippi pasture land. This was an ideal environment for him and his brothers to fish, hunt, and play sports year-round. He remained close with his siblings throughout his life. As he aged into his 90s, George spent much of his time reminiscing on a happy childhood with family and friends in Pontotoc.

On May 9, 1944, on the Saturday following his high school graduation, he was off to World War II basic training. This was followed by 20 weeks of aviation electrician school, where he also played for the Jacksonville Navy base football team. He was then deployed as a Petty Officer to WWII active combat duty in the Pacific theater sailing primarily on the carrier USS Hoggatt Bay.

When he returned home from the war, he played junior college football and baseball at Itawamba Junior College. During this time, back in his hometown of Pontotoc, the love of his life, Bobbie Shappley, caught his eye while working across the street from his home in the courthouse as a first-year home demonstration agent. They were married on April 1, 1950. After they wed, George completed his college studies on the GI Bill at Arkansas State University. On March 30, 1951, he was blessed with the birth of their first son, Charles Bernard Clement.

Upon graduation, they moved to Arcadia, Florida and taught school for one year. During 1953 they made their way to Mount Dora, Florida to begin their Mount Dora teaching and coaching careers. It was there he was blessed with the birth of their second son, George Edward "Ed" Clement. George lived happily with Bobbie in Mount Dora for 70 years – teaching for 38 years, coaching, and raising a family.

George taught mathematics at Mount Dora Middle School, and 6th grade and physical education at Roseborough Elementary School. At various times throughout the school years he coached football, baseball and basketball, and worked during the summers in the Lake County Summer Swim Program teaching numerous students swimming.

George thoroughly enjoyed his teaching and coaching career, and often fondly recalled his former students and players. One of the first things his colleagues, students, players, friends, and family would all tell you about George was his remarkable sense of humor that paired so well with his good nature.

If not seen in a classroom, athletic or school event, you could find George fishing throughout Florida with his close friends. They fished hard on the East Coast, St. Johns River, Gulf of Mexico, and everywhere else in Florida.

George was preceded in death six days by his beloved wife, Bobbie, son, Charles (Sue), and his 11 siblings: Annie Clyde, Mildred, Ethel, LaPearl, Carolyn, Fred, Robert, Charles (George's infant twin), Francis, Gene, and Sidney.  He is survived by his son Ed (Rae), four grandchildren: Dr. Holly Westmoreland (Stanley), Brian Clement (Rachael), Bradley Clement, and Brett Clement, six great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A joint celebration of George and Bobbie's lives will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, April 1st at the Orange Avenue Church of Christ on 1511 East Orange Avenue, Eustis, Florida .

In lieu of flowers, the Clement family asks that donations be made in the memory of George & Bobbie Clement to the Lake Cares Food Pantry at 2001 West Old Highway 441, Suite #1, Mount Dora, Florida  32757.

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