Clem Fortner Obituary

Family-Placed Death Notice

FORTNER, Clem CLEM H. (Foots) FORTNER Clem H. (Foots) Fortner of McDonough, Georgia, 90, died March 14, 2008 following an extended illness. He retired in 1967, after more than 26 years of service with the Atlanta Police Department attaining the rank of Lieutenant. He then worked for almost twenty years with the Fulton County Public Defender's Office as an investigator. He was a Ham Radio Operator (K4PKQ), a member of Grant Park Masonic Lodge, the International Brotherhood of Magicians, Past-president of the Georgia Magic Club Ring 9, the Atlanta Society of Magicians, the North American Association of Ventriloquists, Fraternal Order of Police, Peace Officers Association of Georgia, and Saint Joseph's Episcopal Church. Mr. Fortner, known as "Fortner the Merry Magician," was a professional magician for more than sixty-five years. He was a master of the craft of close-up magic, ventriloquism and mentalism. He generously gave his time to help budding magicians learn the craft of magic and ventriloquism. Mr. Fortner was preceded in death by Ruby Ridling Fortner, his wife of sixty years. Survivors include his daughter Judy Carole Fortner Stone, his son Thomas H. (Tom) Fortner; his granddaughters Terri Echols Santacroce and Christie Shackelford Jarrio; his grandsons Charles H. Fortner and Thomas E. (Ted) Fortner; his great-grandson Evan Santacroce; and a beloved companion Jean Bradley. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am at Saint Joseph's Episcopal Church in McDonough followed by a reception and celebration of Mr. Fortner's life in the church social hall on Saturday, April 12. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Sacred Journey Hospice Foundation, 138 Peach Drive, McDonough, Georgia 30253 and/or Saint Joseph's Episcopal Church 1865 Highway 20 East McDonough, Georgia 30253. Cremation Society of the SOUTH at Eagle's Landing 770-692-1181. www.cssouth.com

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Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Apr. 6, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Clem Fortner

11 Entries

Percy Fortner

October 22, 2024

Yoo thats my great grandpa

tina carr

April 14, 2008

dear judy and tommy

my how the years have passed so quickly!! i am so sorry about your dad, i remember him from birthday parties. your mother was a great person too. my thoughts go out to both of you and your families.

tina theos carr

mark merchant

April 11, 2008

Clem inspired me, Mark Merchant, to be a better performer and to always be a gentleman.

He is making them laugh in Heaven.
Miss you, and Sam and Roscoe are in good hands. Mark Merchant

Jim Hinton

April 10, 2008

Judy,
Jim and I were sorry to hear about the passing of your Dad. He must
have been a wondeful person and
Dad and you have such great
memories of him.

Jim and Ann Hinton

Linda Lytle

April 8, 2008

Dear Judy and Tommy,

I should have known after all the time I spent at your house that Mr. Fortner was a talented man with many gifts. He ALWAYS had that big grin on his face, and your Mom would always just smile when he said something. I loved being there because they always allowed the two of you to be yourselves, and always made me feel welcome. I had many hair creations, and laughs there.

I know the sadness you are feeling, but I also know the relief you feel that it is over for him. What a legacy he has left the two of you.

Our Sincerest Love My Friend,

Fred and Linda Lytle

Genie Andrews Lindsey

April 7, 2008

Dear Judy & Tommy,

I have many fond memories of your Mom & Dad. They were so much fun. I am so sorry for your loss. I know you will miss him.

Love, Genie

Janice Smith Hicks

April 7, 2008

Judy,
I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Richard 'BLiNKY' the MagiCLOWN McGriff

April 6, 2008

My DEAR Friend 'Chicken House' will
be sorely missed by me. I know that he is NOW performing his 'closeup' magic for JESUS! We would talk a little discussing & solving the World's Problems. We would 'fix' them real
good to OUR knowledge. That's what magician's CAN do you know, 'FIX' the World's Problems.
I don't know if the 'fixin' was for the 'good' or 'bad. He was a LONGTIME, GREAT FRIEND and MENTOR !! HE TAUGHT ME LOTS ABOUT ENTERTAINING and HE said that I EVEN FOOLED HIM with
the 'India' Rope Trick @ his 90th Birthday Party.
OUR LOVE TO ALL THE FAMILY

Martha Bray Greenway

April 6, 2008

Judy and family,

My deepest sympathy for the loss of your dad. He sounds like he was a "character." Mine was too. I lost him 3 years ago at the age of 89. They lived a long time, but you are never ready to let them go. You are in my prayers.

Peggy Koon (Moss)

April 6, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Sharon Frank

April 6, 2008

Judy, Tom, Terri, Christie and Families:

We send all our love and deepest sympathy to you on the death of your wonderful dad and grandfather. He was a special man in our lives - and I always think about the close relationship he and my dad had.

We have many great memories of your whole family - and your dad will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Much love,
Virginia Hammond, Sharon & Charlie Frank and family; Bob and Debbie Hammond and family.

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