Clarence James Suggs

Clarence James Suggs was born June 10, 1923 to Harry and Eva Suggs in Jacksonville, FL. He passed away peacefully at his Jacksonville home, Sunday, March 19, 2017. He spent his childhood in and around his grandparents’ (Clarence & Eva Higginbotham) grocery store. Clarence was of the Baptist faith. He attended Robert E. Lee High School and volunteered for the United States Army Air Force, where he served with distinction. Clarence was predeceased by his parents, Harry J. Suggs and Eva (Roy) Suggs Long,; his wife, Ann Hampton Suggs and their son, Kenneth W. Suggs. He leaves to mourn his devoted wife, Janice Suggs; daughter, Mary Ann Davis (Bobby Duke) of Banner Elk, NC; three stepdaughters, Sommer Miller (Chris Roblow), Crystal Carrillo, and Sara Carrillo; eleven grandchildren, Carole Edelstein (Dave) of Chevy Chase, MD; Robert Reuschle (Dawn) of Lake Wales, FL; Christopher Reuschle, Jennifer Bradner, Angela Harward (John), Kenneth Suggs (Melissa), Clarence James Suggs II (Stacey), Joseph Suggs, Izabella Miller, Elijah-James Miller and Bentley Carrillo, all of Jacksonville. He also leaves behind 17 great- grandchildren.

Clarence enlisted on October 19, 1942, serving in World War II with the 443rd Bombardment Squadron. As a bombardier, he achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. Clarence was the recipient of the European - African - Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 6 Bronze Stars, the French Croix De Guerre avec Palme and the Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters. He was honorably discharged May 30, 1945, after which he attended Stetson University. He served as a member of the Florida Highway Patrol, was a Shriner member and a boating enthusiast. He was the Founder of Allstate Steel, where he served as President and CEO.

Clarence loved the city of Jacksonville. He was a member of the Jacksonville City Council from 1975 to 1991, where he served as President in 1982 and 1987. He served on an myriad of city projects, as well as a variety of committees including the Civil Service Board and the Housing and Urban Development Advisory Board.

Visitation will be held from 11:30am -1 pm on Saturday, March 25 at Hardage-Giddens Town & Country Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32205. The funeral service will be held at 1pm on Saturday, March 25 at Hardage-Giddens Town & Country Funeral Home, followed by interment at Riverside Memorial Park.