Norbert H. Clemens, Jr.

Norbert Clemens, 89, of Lake Charles, LA died at 10:40 PM on Saturday, December 6, 2014 in a local care facility. Mr. Clemens was born in St. Louis, MO on August 10, 1925 and was the only son of Norbert H. Clemens, Sr. and Olivia Walter Clemens. Norbert was raised in St. Louis and graduated from Soldan High School in January of 1944. He joined the U.S. Navy at that time during World War II. From boot camp, he was sent to radio school at the University of Colorado in Boulder. After finishing there, he traveled to Honolulu and reported to CINCPAC Headquarters for further assignment. He passed several examinations and was then directed to report to the Flag Allowance Com Fifth Fleet, attached to Admiral Raymond A. Spruance's command. Norbert Clemens participated in five operations against the enemy and earned battle stars for the carrier strikes against the Japanese home islands, and the Iwo Jima and Okinawa Campaigns. He received a "Letter of Appreciation for his loyalty and hard work" from Admiral Spruance at the end of the war. After the war, Norbert Clemens returned to St. Louis, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington University and met and married his wife of forty years, Eileen Heffernan. During Norbert's working career, most of his time was spent in the Ethical Pharmaceutical industry in sales and sales management. In recent years, he came out of retirement following Eileen's death five years after moving to Lake Charles in 1984. He worked as a real estate agent prior to once again retiring. He was a Sigma Chi at Washington University in St. Louis, a member of the Optimists International in Kirkwood (St. Louis, MO) and a member of the American Legion. Norbert is survived by his sister, Virginia Clemens Mazy of Fountain, CO; daughter, Kathleen Clemens Colpitts and husband Ralph; and two grandsons, Patrick and Matthew Colpitts. His graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at Consolata Cemetery. Monsignor James Gaddy will officiate. A gathering of family members and friends will be at Johnson Funeral Home on Monday from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM with a rosary at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue at the funeral home on Tuesday from 9:00 AM to 10:40 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250.