Judge Louis Clare

JUDGE LOUIS CLARE

Judge Louis Clare, 89, passed away Tuesday, January 11th, 2011 at his home in Donna, TX. Judge was born in Retrop, Oklahoma in 1921. Originally given the birth name of Jesse, his family called him "Judge", due to his uncanny ability to accurately judge the weight of filled cotton sacks before they were sent to the gin. When his first school teacher called him by his birth name, he rebelled and insisted his name was "Judge". His parents made the first of many trips to school to validate the unorthodox moniker.
He graduated in 1939 from Retrop Senior High School in Retrop, Oklahoma, where he lettered in a number of areas and received particular recognition for his vocal abilities in Bass Solo, Quartette, Glee Club and Operetta. He was selected for advanced training in opera, but family obligations prevented him from pursuing his music in this direction. Judge married his wife of 69 years, Gladys Mae Wilson, in 1941. At the beginning of WWII, Judge answered his nation's call of duty and enlisted in the U.S. Navy but their recruitment had been fulfilled. While waiting to be called for active duty, he and Gladys moved west to Los Angeles, California, where they both contributed to the war effort as employees of Lockheed Corporation, building the P-38 Lightning. In 1944 Judge was called to active duty, serving in the South Pacific.
After completing his tour of duty, in 1946 Judge & Gladys moved to Donna, Texas, where Gladys' grandparents, Larkin and Teresa Martin had farmed since 1919, as early settlers in the area. During their time in Donna and Brownsville, Judge served as a volunteer fire fighter, worked for ACME signs and operated a Mobile Gas Station. In 1957 when Pan American Airways closed the Brownsville base, Judge and Gladys moved to Sunnyvale, California, where Judge continued his work as an aircraft mechanic for PanAmerican and later at United Airlines, serving as the Vice-President of the AFL-CIO Machinists Union for United Airlines in San Francisco. Judge retired from United Airlines in 1978 and purchased a citrus grove in Donna, Texas. Judge was an active member of Elks Lodge #2057 in Weslaco. As a passionate lover of music and self-taught performer, Judge initiated a popular local music jam, which grew to include musicians throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Through his music Judge brought much joy and laughter to many and made new friends for life.
Judge is survived by his wife, Gladys Mae; his daughter Claudia Ann Clare; son, Mitchell Louis Clare (Joanie); grandchildren, Michelle Pua'Ena Dean Alvarez and her daughter Alanis; Brian Gregory Dean (Kathryn) and his children Brennan Judge, Jon Matthew and Colton Walker; Eric L. Dean (Natalie), his children Michelle Dawn Dean Ruben (Joel), Elica Taylor Dean and Jesse Connor Austin Dean and grandchild Anastasia Lilly Ruben; Richard Ringer (and family); Jason Louis (Michelle) and his children Brendin and Autumn; and Anthony Louis Clare. He is also survived by his siblings Norma Dean (Tiny) Estes, Madge Harvey, Crawford Odean Cowles, Sandra Keese (John), Joyce Kaye Hedrick, and pre-deceased by his sister, Lola Rodgers Begley, and brothers, W.S. Jack Clare, Clifford S. Clare, Charles Harold Clare, and Sammy Don Clare, and Leon Otis Clare.
Memorial services will be conducted by Elks Lodge #2057 of Weslaco at Hawkins Funeral Home in Donna, TX on Thursday, January 13th, 2011. Viewing will be held at 9:00 a.m and memorial service will begin at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations to the American Cancer Society.
Please sign the guest book at www.hawkinsfh.com.
Funeral services are under the direction of Hawkins Funeral Home in Donna.
Sign the guest book at www.themonitor.com/obituaries