Clinton A. Venable

Clinton Arthur Venable

On August 13, 2014, Clinton Arthur Venable, age 83, was blessed with peaceful passage into heaven and the arms of Christ.

Clinton (Clint) was born on October 11, 1930 to Virgil (Bud) Bennett Venable and Helen Laverne Westerfield. Virgil passed early in Clint's life and Edward Croom became Clint's step-father.

Childhood summers were spent on his Uncle Arthur and Aunt Vivian's farm with his brother Ronald David Venable. This was a home away from home during the tailing years of the great depression. The self sustaining farm taught Clint the value of hard work by tending to many farm chores. In Clinton's younger years, he worked at Garfield Bakery in Indianapolis. Clint also worked as a caddie at Sarah Shank Golf Course where he learned golfing skills and gained an enduring love of the game. Clint graduated from Manual High School where he played basketball, performed in band, and was the 1948 class Vice President.

In his teen years, he worked as a bookkeeper/courier for Indianapolis Hospital. Prior to attending college, he worked as a surveyor and laborer for the Indiana Railroad through the guidance of his step-father Ed. In 1955, Clint graduated from Purdue University's School of Civil Engineering (with honors) where he was a member of Chi Epsilon Fraternity of Civil Engineering as well as Tau Beta Pi.

Prior to graduation, Clint joined the Air Force during the Korean War. He was a Cadet at Kingston Air Force Base in North Carolina and later a flight instructor at Craig Air Force Base in Alabama. During a training exercise in Phoenix, Arizona, Clint met the love of his life Betty Grisel.

After the Air Force and graduation from Purdue, Clint and Betty married in 1955 in Indianapolis. In 1956, Clint joined the Indiana State Highway where he was later promoted to Chief of Traffic for the Department of Highways. Clint also became certified as a Professional Engineer and a Professional Land Surveyor. At the Department of Highways, he was instrumental in designing and managing all interstate projects throughout Indiana. He was awarded the distinguished Sagamore of the Wabash three times from former Governors Welsh, Brannigan, and Bayh. He also received a special service award form Governor Bowen for his outstanding efforts with the Highway. Clinton served as President of the Indiana Traffic Engineers (ITE), was an active member of the American Association of State Highway and Traffic Officials (AASHTO), and was a long time member of the Indiana Optimist Club.

In 1993, Clint retired after a successful (38 year) career with the Indiana Department of Highways. He later utilized his Professional Engineer certification as a consultant for Barrier Systems where he continued his passion for interstate design and public service.

Clinton achieved 32nd Degree Masonic status and was active at Englewood Lodge and a member of the Scottish Rite. Clinton was a person of strong Christian values and a longtime member of Covenant Presbyterian Church. More recently he was a member of Christ Presbyterian Church and served in various roles including deacon and elder.

Clinton loved people, loved telling jokes, and enjoyed life to its fullest. His compassion for others fully blossomed in his later years. He volunteered as a beginning reading tutor and became skilled in winning and donating nearly a thousand stuffed animals to his church, Ronald McDonald House, and Riley Hospital for Children.

Clinton was preceded in death by his loving wife, Betty in 2006; father, Virgil; mother, Helen; step-father, Edward; and brother, Ronald. He leaves behind daughter, Brenda Rosa; son-in law, Jim Rosa; grandson, Scott Rosa; granddaughters, Kim Summers and Casey Venable; son, David Venable; daughter in-law, Tracy Venable; sister in-law, Suzi Buck; and many other loving family members.

Clinton will be remembered most for his unyielding care and compassion for others. His kindness, generosity, and smile were truly contagious, and he was a giver until his end. In his last months of life as he struggled with heart disease, he was compassionately cared for by Hospice until he made his life ending journey into eternal heaven. He will be deeply missed by loving friends and family and we are assured that heaven has received a wonderful loving soul.

He was known by many as Clint, Chief, Husband, Clem, Papaw, Grandpa, Dad, and Uncle Clint. No matter the name he was called, he was loved by all. Those who had the privilege of being a friend, neighbor, or family, were truly blessed as he enriched each of our lives.

In memory of the loving Hospice care Clinton received, donations may be made in memory of Clinton Venable. Please make checks payable to Community Home Health and mail to 9894 E. 121st Street, Fishers IN, 46037.

Friends may visit with Clinton's family from 2-6 p.m., Sunday, August 17, 2014 at Flanner and Buchanan - Memorial Park , 9350 E. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46229. The celebration of Clinton's life will be held at 10 a.m., Monday at the funeral center. Please feel free to share memories and condolences at http://www.flannerbuchanan.com.