Christopher Oberst Clements Sr. passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Sunday, February 10, 2019.
Chris was born into a large Catholic family, the second youngest of nine siblings, in Louisville, Kentucky on October 5, 1930. He graduated from St. Xavier’s Grade School in 1944 and attended Ahrens Trade School until 1947. He then joined the Marines in 1948, and served from 1952 until 1953 in the Korean War as a tank commander in Baker Company, 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division.
While on leave after the war, Chris took a trip west to Eagle Creek, Oregon. There he met Mary Seidel in July of 1953. Chris and Mary were married at St. Aloysius Catholic church in Estacada on September 3, 1955.
Chris and Mary had nine children. They started out in a big farmhouse in Wilsonville, later building a house and moving the family to Eagle Creek in 1971. The house and property in Eagle Creek was Chris’ refuge from the world; what started out as an empty acre with only the house, developed over the years into a wooded garden.
Chris worked for Sawyers/GAF/ViewMaster-Ideal in Progress, Oregon from 1967 until retirement in 1997.
Chris enjoyed many pursuits, all within the context of family and instilled many of the same in his children: gardening, firearms, hunting, reading (always reading), and the beach. After retirement, Chris and Mary enjoyed traveling and gardening. Chris was happiest when outdoors working in the garden or woodlot and, though he’d never let you know, he was also a talented illustrator.
Chris is survived by his wife Mary; Sons, Erich, Christopher, Keith (Virgie), Brian (Jeffi), Matthew, and Benjamin (Jodie); Daughters, Christine, Kathleen Carlson (Steve), and Rebecca Murray (Rick); 26 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Chris and Mary also raised their grandson David Clements (Anne) of Bastogne, Belgium.
A viewing will be held Sunday, February 24, 2019 at Sandy Funeral Home from 2-5pm with a Rosary starting at 3:30pm.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Sandy, on Monday, February 25, 2019 at 1:00pm. A burial will follow at Forrester Cemetery in Eagle Creek. He will be laid to rest just yards from where he met Mary, his wife of 63 years and within sight of the home that they built together.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Oregon Right to Life.