Calvin Otis Clemmer passed peacefully at home on June 24th, 2018. Calvin was born on October 28th,1932 in Gastonia NC. He was one of 11 children born to Jasper Lee Clemmer and Beulah Fisher Clemmer.
He was a charter member of East Garrison Baptist Church (formerly Seventh Ave Baptist)
Calvin served in the US Navy during the Korean War.
Prior to enlisting in the Navy he attended Gaston High School. He completed his high school education at The Burton Institute January 1956.
Calvin was employed by the Gastonia Fire Department for 32 years starting on April 10th 1956. He received his Associate in Applied Science in Fire Science from Gaston College on May 30th, 1976. He started his career as a firefighter he was also a driver and pump operator. Later he advanced through the ranks serving as a Lieutenant, a Captain and Assistant Chief. When he retired on Feb 29th 1988 Calvin was an Operations Chief.
Calvin and his wife of 61 years Mary Gretchel Putman Clemmer were members of the Swinging Stars square dance group. They loved spending time on Topsail Island where his hobbies were fishing and collecting beach glass. He enjoyed attending Carolina Panthers games where he was a season ticket holder since 1996.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers, JL Clemmer Jr., Coit Clemmer, Melvin F Clemmer, and sister Martha Clemmer Dixon. Calvin is survived by his loving wife Mary Gretchel Putman Clemmer, daughter Susan Danette Conroy (Chris) Cornelius NC; Calvin Otis Clemmer Jr. Clinton NC; Edward Lee Clemmer, Gastonia; Anthony Brian Clemmer (Patricia) Bunn NC; and Melvin Eugene Clemmer ( Heather) Wilmington NC. Brother Grady A. Clemmer Sr. Gastonia. Sisters Ruth Whitworth, Bolivia NC; Barbara Lindstrom, Melbourne, FL; Jeanette Faris, Gastonia; Kathryn Rankin, Lowell ; Deannie Helms, Gastonia and Sister-in-Law Doris Stroup Clemmer Gastonia. Ten Grandchildren and five Great Grandchildren.
The family will receive friends 12 to 2 pm Thursday at Carothers Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held directly following visitation at 2pm with Reverend Charles Ledford officiating.
Honors will be provided by Gastonia Fire Department and US Navy.
