Clarence Bernard McGilberry's Obituary
Clarence Bernard McGilberry – The man, the myth, the legend. Husband to Laverne and hero to his children and grandchildren, passed away on Sunday, July 31, 2016, at 93 years old. A celebration of life memorial service will be held at 2:30 PM, Tuesday, August 2, 2016 for Clarence in The Memorial Chapel at Restland Funeral Home in Dallas, Texas. Reverend Jack Martin from Park Cities Baptist Church will be officiating. Clarence was born March 8, 1923, in Dodge (Walker County), Texas. He was married to Hallie Laverne Hester McGilberry for 68 years until her death in 2015. Together they raised six children while living in numerous locations throughout Texas, Alabama and Illinois. He loved his family and they adored him. Clarence worked for Mobil Oil Corporation for over forty years until his retirement in. Affectionately know as “CB” to many, Clarence was an avid outdoorsman and passionate deer hunter. He took pride in teaching his sons how to hunt and spending time with family at the deer camp. He so looked forward to that first weekend in November. He spent weeks preparing and planning for deer season. And you better not plan a special event for that weekend, because you can count on him not being there…(sorry Wendi and Derek). He also loved to fish and run the trotlines for catfish. Our dad was a simple man. Although he lived in Dallas for many years, he was a country boy at heart. He was honest, genuine, and sometimes a little too forthright. And boy, was he funny! He had a knack for telling it like it is and for off-color jokes. He was always quoting some made-up “CBism”, most of which are not appropriate to repeat. But here are just a few of CB’s words of wisdom. “If you can’t eat it, you don’t need it,” or “Women are like a bus, if you break up with one of them, don’t be upset, there’s another one coming by the next hour,” and not to be outdone by “Do you know the name of the man that invented the mini-skirt?…well it was Seemore Hiney.” Clarence was a WWII veteran and served as a staff sergeant in CoA, 342nd infantry of the Blackhawk Division. He saw combat during the Battle of the Bulge and was the first U.S. soldier to enter and liberate prisoners in the internment camp at Attendorn, Germany. He was awarded the European Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Stars. He served for over two years. He had a lifelong love affair for fried catfish, fresh peas & cornbread, tomatoes & onions, oyster soup, banana pudding, boiled cabbage and anything with gravy on it. He loved all kinds of music as long as it was Country and Western, and he took fashion cues from no one. He had his own style – khaki pants that went all the way up to his armpits, a striped shirt, wide suspenders and he always wore a cap to cover his bald head. He was also one of the bravest men you will ever meet. He’s the only person we know of that actually killed a snake with his cap inside an outhouse. His love of the outdoors was nothing compared to the love he had for his children. He was a devoted father who put his wife and children first in everything he did. He was proud of his family and was the rock upon which they all rested. Later, he was blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren that learned the meaning of unconditional love. He loved each and every one of them only the way a grandpa can. Clarence was a member of the Free Mason fraternal order, which is composed of men of good will, character and reputation.They believe in the Almighty Creator, the spirit of brotherhood to man and are loyal to their country. The Free Mason motto is “Better men make a better world.” Clarence was of good will and character, loved the Lord and his country and did make this world a better place. Clarence had many pets over the years, but was especially fond of this Border Collie named “Lady” that he adopted from Operation Kindness. Lady brought him years of happiness and companionship. He also had “pet” squirrels that would come to the back door and wait for him to feed them pecans. Clarence is survived by his children: LaWanda Taylor and husband Earl of Dallas; Beverly Swafford of Midlothian; Steven McGilberry and wife Sally of Plano; Sandra Flanagan and husband James of Allen; John McGilberry and wife Gina of Irving; and James McGilberry and wife Michelle of Frisco; grandchildren: Dub and Mona Taylor; Wendi and Derek Fuller; Adam and Ashley Swafford; Sara and Joel Bagby; Jason and Megan McGilberry; Laura McGilberry; Michael and Whitney Flanagan; Scott Flanagan; Eric Gallup; Grant McGilberry and Madison McGilberry; and great-grandchildren: William, Josephine, Raleigh, Kennedy, Hallie, Addison, Emma, Abby, and by brother Lewis McGilberry and wife Hazel; and numerous relatives. Clarence is preceded in death by his wife, Hallie Laverne McGilberry; granddaughter, Kate Alden Taylor; parents Daniel Pratt and Eula Mae Bushen McGilberry; sisters Mae McGilberry, Blanche McGilberry, Alice Schreiner and Estelle Hart; and by brothers Odis McGilberry and Daniel McGilberry. We wish to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to Nurse Dave, Nurse Jill and the entire staff at Encompass Hospice. We are most thankful for your heartfelt care and comfort you provided to our dad. The visitation for Clarence McGilberry will be held at 1:30 PM, August 2, 2016 in The Memorial Chapel at Restland Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, at Restland Road, Dallas, TX 75243. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Operation Kindness in Clarence’s memory, 3201 Earhart Drive, Carrollton, TX 75006.
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