Cletus William Yow Jr.

Born on January 15, 1934, he was the oldest son of Cletus William Yow, Sr. and Epsie Myrtle Wright Yow. Cletus graduated from Alamance School in 1952. He enlisted in the United States Air Force to proudly serve our country for 21 years, as a B52 Tail Gunner. During those years, he earned the rank of Master SGT and flew over 15,000 flight hours between the Korean War and 2 tours to Vietnam while stationed in Guam. Cletus retired in 1973 from the United States Air Force and began a career with Pella Windows & Door Co. He worked there as an operations manager for 23 and a half years before retiring in June of 1996.

Cletus had a faithful and devout love for his Lord Jesus, serving at Sharpe Road Baptist Church as a Deacon, Church Treasurer, Sunday School Teacher (to many different ages groups over the years), and served on various church committees. You could always find him in the church choir, singing bass, on Sunday mornings. Cletus was a pillar of knowledge and wisdom of God’s word. He showed love to ALL people just as Christ did. Cletus loved his country and community. He had a servant’s heart and was an active member through the years with the Gideons, Masons, & Shriners. He spent many years as an active Civitan of the SE Guilford Civitan Club where he was the club treasurer and earned the honor of NC District East Civitan Fellow Award. For many years you could find him working the Grasshoppers games, Special Olympics, and other projects for his Civitan club. In his spare time, he enjoyed traveling with family, playing UNO, golfing, bowling, playing for the church’s men’s softball team and shaggin.

Cletus married Melissa June Plummer on November 19, 1954. They were blessed to spend a little over 70 wonderful years together. She will always be the “love of his life”. Cletus and June were blessed with three children: Terri Y. Oliver (Jack) of Greensboro, NC, Lisa Y. Capps (Duane) of Julian, NC, and Cletus W. “Clete” Yow, III (Jude) of Clayton, NC. He was a grandfather to Tara (Thomas), Melissa, Kimsey, Trey (Kaci), Jacob (Hope), Jhey, & Cy. Great Grandfather to Kyra (Logan), Breyonna, Jacklynn, Aleah, MaKinleigh, Paxton, Charlie Jean, Fields, Ryder, Lyza, & Lainey. With one more great grandson, Luke, due this June. He leaves behind all of them, as well his beloved brother, Claude Yow (Francis) of Knoxville, TN and a host of nieces and nephews that he loved dearly.

Cletus was preceded in death by his parents, Cletus Sr. and Epsie; his sisters, Betty Lou Y. Reynolds, Margaret “Elaine” Y. Moser and Carol Jean Y. Heitkamp Stratton; brothers-in-law, Harry Reynolds, Myrl Moser, Barry Heitkamp, and D. Malcolm “Smoky” Stratton.

The family will receive friends and loved ones on Thursday evening, March 6, 2025, from 6pm-8pm at Sharpe Road Baptist Church, 1908 Sharpe Road, Greensboro, NC, 27406. Funeral services will be held at Sharpe Road Baptist Church on Friday, March 7, 2025, at 1pm. Following the funeral, Cletus will be laid to rest in Guilford Memorial Park Cemetery, 6000 West Gate City Blvd., Greensboro, NC 27407.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in his memory, to Sharpe Rd Baptist Church, 1908 Sharpe Road, Greensboro, NC, 27406.

Hanes Lineberry Sedgefield Chapel has the honor of assisting the Yow family.

Online condolences may be made at www.hanelineberryfhsedgefield.com