Richard Emerson Clinton

Richard Emerson Clinton, 75, was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June 11, 1947 and died unexpectedly in his hometown of Port St. Lucie, Florida on Monday, March 27, 2023. He was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Winifred Clinton, and father, Alvah Clinton. Richard moved to the Washington, D.C. area with his mother when he was 10 years old, and was raised by his mother and maternal grandparents, Richard and Alice Mitchell. Richard married the love of his life, Stephanie DeVita, on March 18, 1967. One week later, on March 27th, he left for Vietnam after being drafted by the United States Army. Richard returned to Stephanie, and they went on to raise their three beautiful daughters in Olney, Maryland. He was a very proud father to Sherill Stitz (Mark), Michelle Shearn (Jeff) and Danielle Sweene (Brian) and grandfather of his 6 grandchildren, Kylie Stitz (25), Jamie Stitz (24), Christopher Stitz (21), Alexis Sweene (16), Nicholas Sweene (13) and Megan Shearn (11).

He had many skilled trades including computer technology where he specialized in trouble shooting for various high-tech computers all over the world until he retired in 2008. He and Stephanie then moved to their second home full-time in Lake Anna, Virginia to enjoy life on the water before deciding on year-round warmer weather and found their new home in Port St. Lucie, Florida in 2016.

Richard was a man of few words, but larger than life. He had a special love for cars, especially his ‘69 Stingray Corvette, which he owned for 50 years and took for a joyride to celebrate that milestone the day before he died. Richard was always willing to lend a hand, fix something, help a neighbor and his community. He had tremendous pride for his country, the American flag, his time served in Vietnam, and for all his “brothers”. He observed every Veterans Day to reflect on its solemnity. After “The Wall”, was built in Washington, D.C., many years passed before he was able to visit, and once he did, it became a yearly tradition. He also took part in annual reunions with his two Battalions, 5th Maintenance, where his was a mechanic, and the 359th, where he drove tanker trucks in convoys. He was part of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), as well as the veterans club in his community where he planned annual fundraisers to support wounded veterans. Richard loved boating, driving his “vette” and was involved in numerous clubs including Sharp Shooters, Vitalia Veterans, Vitalia Car Club, Dart Club and Eight-Ball to name a few.

He was his family’s protector, a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, and “brother”, whose presence is dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Military Honors to be presented immediately following the service, at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to:

Warriors Renewal Coalition, which supports wounded veterans and their families. (www.warriorsrenewalcoalition.org)