Gordon "Buddy" Houston Clemons

Gordon “Buddy” Houston Clemons, 82 years old, passed away at his home Sunday, July 13th. He was born at his grandmother’s house on January 24, 1943, in Oneonta, Alabama, to his loving parents, Opal and Gordon Clemons. His father worked at Republic Steel, and he lived on Cansler Avenue in Alabama City all his young life. He met the love of his life at Gulf Steel Junior High School, Betty Carolyn Fowler Clemons. They decided to get married in the summer after their junior year of high school and keep it a secret their whole senior year. They traveled to Buchanan, Georgia, on June 4, 1961, with their friends Glenda and Jerry Blair, and got married. Needless to say, their secret didn’t last that long! Buddy went to work at Colonial Grocery Store as a sackboy in the afternoons and finished his senior year at Emma Samson High School and graduated in 1962. He followed in his father’s footsteps and went to work at Republic Steel in the summer of 1962. He went to work first in the mailroom of the administration office and then later transferred to the transportation department in 1977, where he worked until the steel plant closed. Betty and Buddy welcomed their first son on March 24, 1962, Gordon Neil Clemons, and their second son, Mark Houston Clemons, on August 31, 1964. They built their first home in 1971 on Rabbittown Road in Hokes Bluff/Glencoe shortly after welcoming their daughter, Lynn Clemons Watson, on July 4, 1970. Buddy had always dreamed of owning acreage, and they bought land and a home on Ford’s Valley Road in 1979, where he lived until he passed away.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Betty, and his three children: Neil (Leslie) Clemons, Mark Clemons, and Lynn (Jay) Watson. Grandchildren: Mallory Wells, Taylor (David) Bailey, Tylynn Register, Houston Clemons, Will(Emma) Clemons, Andrew(Ashley) Doster, and Wyatt (Lexie) Watson. Great grandchildren: Leila Baldwin, Addyson Clemons, Mylee Clemons, Ashton Doster, Camden Simmons, Caeden Simmons, Brylee Kate Wells. Sister: Nancy Odell. Sister-in-laws : Jamie Clemons, Janice Gibbs, and Frances Reynolds. Nieces and nephews: Scott Carter, Steven Carter, Stacey Kimmons, Cindy Marrs, Rachel Horton, Mandi Wofford, Jason Gibbs, Gwen Gardner, Byram Hammonds, Todd Hammonds, and Wayne Hammonds. He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Gordon and Opal Clemons, and his brother, Tommy Clemons.

Services will be Wednesday, July 16th, at Collier Butler Funeral Home, with visitation starting at 9 a.m. for the family, and the family will receive friends at 9:30 a.m. Graveside service will follow at his home, where his body will be laid to rest in the horse pasture.

Buddy was a family man, and he spent most of his time with them. His biggest achievement in life was his faithfulness to his wife of 64 years and his family. His steadfastness, will, and drive to provide for his family live on in his children and grandchildren. Next to his family, he loved horses and his land. His body will be laid to rest close to all the things he loved most: family, his land, and horses. Gordon H., Buddy, Daddy, and Pop, you will never be forgotten.