Bob was born on December 10, 1928 in Madisonville, Kentucky, the son of Lena Pritchett and George Edward Clements. He was the youngest of three children, and enjoyed the loving attention of both his older siblings, Manerva Clements Lescher and George Edward Clements, Jr. After graduating from Madisonville High School, Bob attended the University of Kentucky where he was involved in numerous campus activities and was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. He earned a B.S. degree in agricultural marketing in 1951.
Bob enjoyed a successful career with the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company that spanned over forty years, frequently taking him to places all over the world. He began as a bookkeeper in Lexington, KY and worked his way up the corporate ladder. Traveling to tobacco markets throughout the country, relocating first to Kinston and later Winston-Salem, NC, he worked as a foreman, buyer, supervisor, and director. He was promoted to Vice President of Leaf Operations in 1979 and served on the company’s Board of Directors.
Bob was predeceased by his first wife Barbara Lee Holeman, his childhood sweetheart, best friend, and fellow Kentucky Wildcat, to whom he was happily married for 27 years before her untimely death in 1978.
Bob was also predeceased by his second wife Lois Moore Johnson Clements, his loving bride of 35 years, who he married in 1983. Upon his retirement from RJR in 1992, Bob and Lois moved to Kiawah Island, SC where they lived for many years.
An avid and accomplished golfer throughout his life, Bob played many of the world's beautiful courses and twice scored a hole-in-one. Bob spent much of his time in retirement working on his golf game while also enjoying other passions including reading, following sports, and gardening. His tomato harvests were especially impressive. He was truly a thoughtful and distinguished gentleman who, often and anonymously, supported numerous charitable organizations. As a devoted viewer of the Hayes Barton Baptist Church telecast, Bob never missed a Sunday.
Bob is survived by a loving and devoted family including daughters and sons-in-law: Lee Clements Tobar (Peter), Susan Clements Spratlin (Boys), and Kimberly Johnson Conroy (Tom) as well as grandchildren Caro, Laura and Philip Tobar, Robert Spratlin, Kate Shanahan (Marc Moughamer), and Patrick Shanahan (Christina). Additionally, he was blessed to have made many dear friends in his later years at The Cardinal at North Hills in Raleigh.
There will be a private family graveside gathering to celebrate Bob's life in Winston-Salem. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hayes Barton Baptist Church Minister's Fund, Transitions LifeCare (formerly Hospice of Wake County), Raleigh Meals on Wheels, St. Jude Children's Hospital, or the charity of your choice.
