Lester was my Uncle, my mother's brother. It's been a year since his passing but with memories of my Uncle and Aunt Carmella stretching back nearly 60 years for me, 1 year is like yesterday.  Lester's brothers and sisters, my Aunts and Uncles are all legends in my life and all deeply missed. My mon is 89 years old but is looking forward to joining her family soon. Fortunately my most recent memory was visiting my Uncle and Aunt was during a vacation to California which, while the memories are vivid, was over 10 years ago. I remember them at their best and hope they both know how special I knew they were.

My condolences to you and your family, Tony.
Sincerely,
Becky Dugan

Tony - As much as we can and do prepare for something like this, we're never truly ready when it happens. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Linda during this time.

Having only seen a photo of Lester, and seeing in his eyes the same spark for life that Tony shares in his (musical) endeavours, I can assume that Lester had gusto for life and lived it well. My condolences to the Clements family for your loss.

My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time Tony. May you be cheered by good memories shared with your dad. May you find solace in the comfort of family and friends who care so much about you.

This message will be for Lester and Carmella's family.  We knew both of them very well and are deeply saddened to learn of Lester's passing.  Ed worked with Carmella in the Sylvan District and was so appreciative of her professionalism and help during that time.  We would see them outside of work and got to know Lester as well.  They were so well suited for each other and a joy to be around.  They loved their children and we talked about you often.  Such wonderful people that we were honored to know.  Our good thoughts are coming your way as you remember your parents and all the times you had together. They were very proud of both of you.  Unfortunately, Ed, now is at a very forgetful stage in his life but in years past he would talk about your folks as two people he enjoyed knowing very much.  Our best to you both.

I didn't know you, but your son Tony is a great guy and an awesome musician.  Tony, I'm sorry for your loss

Sorry for your loss, Tony. It sounds like your father lead a full and productive life. That is about all we can expect. His memory and values live on in his children and future generations. Thanks for sharing this time with your friends. We wish you the best in dealing with his death.

Our prayers go out to the Clements family. Although I never met Lester, Tony shared a picture of him and it showed a man full of exuberance and a zest for life. Tony also possesses these traits and we are blessed to know him and work with him. Rest in peace, Lester.

To Tony and all his family, we are sorry for your loss. Your dad was a member of the Greatest Generation–protecting us in WW II. Our thanks to him.  Our deepest sympathies to all.

While we never got to meet Lester, he sounds like he was a wonderful man and father. His son, Tony, is a good friend and colleague, and our hearts go out to him.

Tony and Linda,
Sorry to hear that your father passed on, Tony, but he obviously was a good man and taught you about the important things in life- food and music.  He certainly passed along good musical genes, a great sense of humor, and a love of life to you.

To live as full as life you can. To having raised a family and enjoyed grandchildren in turn... well played ....  Oh thanks for sharing Tony with us...

Heartfelt condolences to the Clements Family.

April and Dick Barshow

To the Clements family -

I never met Lester James Clements, but I have worked with his son Tony in a musical capacity.  I wanted to say I think you raised a great son, generous and knowledgeable.  The old saying is "apples don't fall far from the tree" so I'm sure that you had these qualities as well.  My sympathies to your family.

Regards,

John Geltmeyer

Mr. Lester, 
                  Thank God I had the pleasure of meeting you. You were a great man, and will be missed. Rest in peace.

Best regaurds to you all during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with you. Ken & Dory Springsted

My sympathies to you Tony. It is always hard to lose a parent, but be heartened by the good upbringing you received. You are who you are because of his example, and that's the best legacy he could have given you.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Tony, Linda, and the entire Clements family during this difficult time.

I'm very sorry to hear about this sad news.  The generation of our fathers went to war and brought us freedom.  They worked hard all of their lives and brought us  prosperity.  May he rest in peace, knowing his legacy has been passed on with a great family.

Jack Stanley

To Tony and Family, 

So sorry to hear about your Dad.  My thoughts and prayers for peace go out to you today and always

Out thoughts go out from our family to the Clements family. A wonderful person and leading light to have brought so much joy into the world.

Tony and family, I'm so sorry for your loss. Carry your treasured memories of your dad with you each and every day.  Blessings,

Though I never met Lester Clements, he must have been a fine person to have raised his son, Tony.  Our hearts are with Tony and Linda at this difficult time.  Nan and Walter Davies

My thoughts are going out to Tony and the rest of Lester's family. I know this is a time of sadness, but hope you will have lots of opportunities to smile on fond memories as you remember your dad. We played a heck of a concert for him on Sunday - I'm sure he'd be proud.

May God comfort you and your family at this time.

To Tony and all his family,

My thoughts and prayers to you all. Bless your Dad.

Bob Fitt

My condolences to Tony, his brother, family members.  Saying goodbye to our fathers is a milestone that brings with it opportunities to reconsider and renew relationships.  It marks a beginning as well as an ending.  Best wishes to all during this challenging time.

My deepest sympathies on his passing. I remember talking with him at his son's, place. A real gentlemen as are his sons.

My condolences to Tony, Linda and the family during this difficult time.

There is the saying - Like father, Like son.  Unfortunately, I never knew Lester.  However, from knowing Tony, I can say that Lester must have been a great man.  Thank you Lester for all the sacrifices you made in life in order to share with the musical community someone so talented and giving as your son Tony.

I never met Lester, but based on my interactions with his son Tony he's left behind a wonderful, creating, and inspirational legacy.

I had heard about Lester from his son Tony and I'll miss his voice from Tony's daily calls to his father. I had heard about Lester's mail delivery days and his charm and looked forward to meeting him someday soon. I seem to have missed that chance but know from the unbridled brilliance, bottomless integrity, motivational spark, and empathetic generosity of spirit of Lester's son Tony, as well as the stories Tony has told, that the world has indeed lost a star human being.

To the Family of Mr. Clements. Even though we did not know Tony's father we knew him through Tony. He would speak with care and respect and wishing he could spend more time with him. For it's only in what we do not do in a lifetime that we truly grieve. A good life with his soul mate will be remembered. The great prophet Kahil Kibran would say; "Desire is half of life; indifference is half of death." I know that Mr. Clements raised a child with great passion in life, and have had the honor to know this joy of life. A job well done.
 Our sincere condolences to the Family and we pray for peace in the hearts for the family in these difficult times. 

Garret and Sandra Moore

My thoughts and prayers go out to Tony and family.

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Lester, I never met you but your son has produced, created, played, organized and  conducted some of the best, most important and most fulfilling music the Bay Area has ever known, and without him many people would have less enjoyable and fulfilling lives.

So long Lester my old friend, I thought of you often, remembering our days of working together in Modesto  
 Post Office.  Rest in Peace.  Jerry Combs.  Railroad Flat, ca.

If a man's greatness can be measured by the character of his children, then Les was a great man.  I have known Tony for 30 years, and he has been a good friend, a great encourager, and a powerful influence in my life for good.  Don't mistake my effusive praise for exaggeration.  Tony is a good man, Lester should be proud... He lived well.

OBITUARY

Lester James Clements

January 26, 1921 – May 4, 2013

Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home

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