
Percy Darrell Clippard of Dexter, Missouri passed away on June 10, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. Percy was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri April 8, 1930 to Curt and Corrine Clippard who preceded him in death as did his younger sister Pat.
On August 12, 1956 he was united in marriage to Caryl Ulen in rural Dexter. They were married for fifty-nine loving years. Mrs. Clippard survives of the home; his sister Pansy Howell of Franklin, Tennessee as well as sons, John Ulen of Knoxville, Tennessee and Mark and his wife Beth Clippard of Springfield, Missouri; by one daughter, Sandra Stone of Dexter, Missouri; by eleven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
He was a starting forward for the 1948 Pickneyville, IL High School Champion Basketball Team which he followed by becoming a 3 sport letterman at Southeast Missouri State University. During his 4 years at SEMO and for 4 years after graduation he served in the United States Naval Reserve, attaining the rank of Petty Officer First Class.
In 1952, he was recruited by T.S. Hill Superintendent for Dexter Schools to become the head varsity basketball coach, and Industrial Arts teacher, his teams compiled a winning record of 132-32. Several of his former players went on to play college sports and become successful coaches in their own right and that was always a source of pride for “Coach Clippard.”
After 6 seasons of coaching and teaching in the Dexter school system, Percy was recruited by Ed McClary to begin the next phase of his professional life as a State Farm Insurance Agent. He retired in 1991, after 34 years, building one of the largest agencies in the Missouri-Kansas Region, garnering several company awards, including being the featured agent in the company publication “The Reflector” in 1972 with an article titled “He makes, Like a Good Neighbor, more than a slogan.” He and Caryl were fortunate enough to travel the world on many State Farm incentive trips with friends from all over the company. He always said, the best part of his professional career “was the people he worked with and served.”
As a husband and father he led by example with his church, family and career. He served in many capacities in the First Baptist Church of Dexter, as a deacon, board president, member, etc. Giving back to the community was always a part of his life as such he served as the local Rotary Club President as well as the Dexter Chamber of Commerce President in 1967. He was awarded the Chamber’s highest honor as “Man of Year in 1969 and 1972” for his work in helping bring two industries to Dexter (Fram and Arvin) which employed hundreds of local and area residents. He was a Boy Scout Scoutmaster who instituted a system by which fathers and sons were each vested in the accomplishments of the troop and many of his scouts achieved the Eagle Scout award, all of these things were a great source of pride for him.
He will be missed by his family and friends who are thankful for a life well lived in Christ’s name. Memorials can be made to The Nova Center of Springfield, Missouri , the Dexter Public School System, First Baptist Church in Dexter, or to the Stoddard County Children’s Home.
Visitation will be conducted on Sunday, June 12, 2016 from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 13, 2016 at 1:00 P.M. in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel with Rev. George Nite officiating.
Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.