Clarence Emerson Sasse

Retired Lieutenant Commander Clarence Emerson Sasse died Thursday, March 10, 2011 at the MS State Veterans Home in Oxford. He was born in Henry, SD to the late Albert and Margaret Sasse. He served in the U.S. Navy for 30 years where he received the Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Medal, American Theatre Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Medal with 13 battle stars, China Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, WWII Victory Medal, and Navy Occupation Medal. He was also awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received aboard the USS Stevens. He was also a Pearl Harbor survivor. After his service for his country was over, he retired from the city of Norfolk, Virginia as a heating and air conditioning operations engineer. He was a member of East Marietta Baptist Church, a 32nd Degree Mason, and a member of the Retired Officers Association, American Legion, NRA, and the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.

Visitation for Mr. Sasse will be 5 to 9 p.m., Friday, March 11, 2011 at the McMillan Funeral Home. Burial with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery will be held at a later date.

He is survived by his wife, Sally Sparks Sasse; his daughter, Betty Morgan of Florida; three stepsons, Hoyle Pharr and Anthony (Jessica) Pharr, both of Booneville, and Bobby (Janeen) Pharr of Tishomingo; ten grandchildren; three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Alma Sasse; his parents; one sister; one brother; a grandson, Chris Pharr.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the East Marietta Baptist Church Mission Fund, P.O. Box 148, Marietta, MS 38856.