Provided by Greenlawn Funeral Home
Gerald W. Clary was born on March 27, 1932 in Glennville, Georgia to Curtis and Lura (Todd) Clary. He passed away Nov. 16, 2023 peacefully with his wife, Shirley, and son, Kevin, by his side. In addition to Shirley, he is survived by two sisters, four sons, a daughter, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
His parents were sharecroppers, and his first nine years of his life was often spent in the same fields of cotton and tobacco as his father and uncles. During World War II, his entire family moved to the Hampden-Woodberry district of Baltimore where his father worked in a factory. The oldest of five children, he had a number of odd jobs to support his family. During the 10th grade, he dropped out of high school entirely, and at the age of 17 he joined the U.S. Army.
While in the Army, Gerald, served his country as a forward observer for a field artillery unit with the 1st Cavalry Division in Korea. While in combat, he was one of the soldiers who was able to view the Chinese Army massing to cross the Yalu River. He served with distinction, earning a number of citations, including the Korean Service Medal with five Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart. He re-enlisted twice, living all over the U.S. and in Germany. He retired in 1961 as a Sgt. First Class while working in supply and logistics and remained highly decorated in his peacetime roles.
Spurred by a hunger for education, he obtained his GED while in the Army. He also answered his call to Christ and enrolled in Baptist Bible College and was ordained in 1963. He served as a pastor for a short time at First Baptist Church in Wentworth.
Eventually, Gerald’s thirst for knowledge led him back to further his education by enrolling in Drury College at the age of 30 under the GI Bill. It was there he discovered his love of education and teaching.
It was a final career path that would lead him to a 35-year career with Springfield Public Schools and 34 years at Glendale High School. He taught all areas of social studies but loved economics, history, and AP psychology most of all. His classes were tough, and his expectations were high. As a result, an entire generation of young leaders were made in his classroom over the years.
Gerald’s passions were reading and politics. He adored his family and felt a true duty to his community. Over the years, he made countless donations to local and national charities, with a special focus on any who directly served children
in need
Gerald remained active in his community as well as a service to his profession. He was a staunch negotiator, and his leadership in the Springfield chapter of the National Education Association secured health insurance and other benefits for thousands of Springfield teachers and retirees. He was a longtime leader in the Ozark Trails Boy Scout Council and loved to share his knowledge of camping and leadership with his peers. In retirement, he became active in the Neighborhood Advisory Council, founding the Oak Grove Neighborhood Association where he served as president for several years.
Gerald Clary is the reason our neighborhood has had a neighborhood association for so many years now. He kept and fought for our neighborhood to stay in the know, strong, together, and safe; and stayed a part of the very thing he created through to his final years. We cannot thank you enough, Gerald, for giving our neighborhood as much of the devotion that you have given.