In memoriam: Gary Eugene Clem

For the purpose of our parents 50th wedding, Gary chose “Dancing Fool” as his Cherokee name

By Barbara Clem Volz

Gary Eugene Clem born Jan 5, 1950, passed through this life on April 14, 2021 from cancer he battled for 2 years. Gary was born in Morenci, Arizona, along with sisters Jacklyn and Barbara, and grew up in San Jose, California.

After graduation, Gary chose to attend college in the area of Susanville, CA. Meeting Ellen Crouse there, he eventually became engaged at the time, and Gary was selected for military service. Stationed at Fort Ord for basic training, he and Ellen decided to marry before Gary was shipped out in January of 1971. Given a medical discharge, Gary and Ellen married. They celebrated the birth of their only child, Kevin in 1978, who has blessed the family with two beautiful children, Amy and William Clem.

We grew up hearing we were related to cowboys on one side and Indians on the other. Until Gary was married and had a child, he did not know Cherokee was actually in the mix. Our father’s mother was Sarah Ruby Ward, a name we found in her bible alongside both her and our father’s Dawes Roll numbers. Gary and Ellen vacationed via road-trip to Oklahoma and retraced our family trail. They had copies made into book, titled New Spring Place, of which the whole family had only one copy.

Gary drove for Campbells Towing in San Jose, CA before eventually owning his own business called Cowboys Towing in San Jose as well. Gary also worked for Holt of California for many years before his retirement. He was a family man, a loving and giving person, who connected with the Cherokees of Northern California Club as one of the first members. It was important to him to stay connected to his roots. Attending many meetings and several campouts, Gary hugged his heritage and made jewelry, pieces of which he was proud to gift to others. Although jewelry was fun for him to make, he also turned his interests to making stringed instruments from cigar boxes, taking pride in every creation.

His smile is missed every day; his laughter is still heard all around, and his memory is in all that I do. I am proud to say he was my BIG brother!