Clarence Edward Twigg Jr.

He was born April, 18, 1927 in Chicago, IL, the son of Clarence Sr., a US postal carrier and Amy (Layton) Twigg, a personal chef for wealthy people in the city. Growing up in Chicago, Clarence sang in the children’s choir of Moody Memorial Church, Lance B. Latham’s All Boy Choir, the Midwest Bible Church Radio Ensemble and the first Chicago area Youth for Christ Male Quartet. A gifted tenor vocalist, he was also highly proficient at the piano and marimba. After marrying fellow student Helen Depew in 1948, Clarence graduated from Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL) in 1951 with a BA in Music Education and Fuller Seminary (Pasadena, CA) in 1956 with a Master of Divinity.

Upon ordination, Clarence served a parish in New Mexico where his first two children were born, then two parishes in Washington where his third child was born, followed by parishes in Idaho, South Dakota and New Jersey. In the final decade of his full-time ministry, he served several New Jersey parishes as a licensed Interim Ministry Specialist, applying well-honed experience to shepherd congregations through transitions between ministers. In all, from 1956 to 2010, Clarence performed 265 baptisms, 402 funerals, 238 weddings and formally received 406 new members. Part-time thereafter, he continued to serve as “pulpit supply” when other pastors were sick or vacationing. In “retirement,” he and Helen sang in the excellent choir of Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church and twice joyfully joined their singing tours in cathedrals all over Europe. Later, he and Helen joined the Presbyterian Church of Toms River. From 2016 to 2018, at Harrogate Retirement Community, Clarence served as volunteer chaplain to fellow residents. Until age 96, he led a popular Bible study attended by residents of both Jewish and Christian faiths.

Clarence is preceded in death by Helen, his loving and devoted wife of 74 years, their son Timothy, his parents and brother Paul, siblings-in-law Dorothy Kent, Jim & Joanne Depew, Leonard & Pat Depew and Pat Harrington. Survivors include his daughter Deborah Jacoby-Twigg (Emilia) of Lexington, MA, son David Twigg (Vivianne) of Camarillo, CA, grandchildren Lindsey “Luz” Lorenzana Twigg of New York, NY, Jasper Twigg of Nashville, TN, Noah and Nathaniel Jacoby-Twigg of Lexington, MA, sister-in-law Betty Depew Harrington of Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, many nieces, nephews and treasured friends.

Clarence’s Celebration of the Resurrection will be held on Friday, May 9 at 11 AM at The Presbyterian Church of Toms River,1070 Hooper Ave., Toms River.  It will be livestreamed at pctr.org/live

In lieu of flowers, check donations in memory of Rev. Clarence Twigg may be mailed to Fuller Theological Seminary, Dept LA 25277, Pasadena, CA 91185-5277 or, to give online or via text, go to https://www.fuller.edu/giving/ for more information.