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Vid Clopton, a soldier who lived his legacy from the beaches of Omaha to Bastogne to Pointe du Hoc and many places between, died March 16, 2013 at the age of 91.
Vid proudly served his country as an Army Ranger and earned many distinguished honors. After being honorably discharged from the military, he entered Schuman Barber College and earned a professional barber license. He moved his family from North Carolina to Newport News, finding at that time no licensing laws had been established.
He became very active in helping to get legislation passed. He was appointed by former Gov. Mills E. Godwin to serve on the Board of Barbers Examiners, now known as the Board of Commerce. Later, under Gov. John Dalton, he also served as state president of the VA AM BBA Association. He also owned and operated Vid's Barber Shop and Museum Barber Shop.
He was proud to be a Mason, and served as Worshipful Master of Mariner No. 215. He was also a member of Eastern Star No. 43 for more than fifty years, as well as a member of the Williamsburg Masonic Lodge.
As a disabled veteran, Vid was very interested in the welfare of all veterans and was Past Commander of DAV Chapter 13 in Yorktown. During that time, the formation of DAV Stores was being established, and he worked long and hard to help bring them to the Peninsula. At the time of his death, he held membership with DAV Chapter 34 in Williamsburg.
Above all, his relationship with his Creator was strong and firm. For many years, he was an active member of Hilton Baptist Church in Newport News, teaching young boys in Sunday School. He had also served as a deacon for the church.
Vid was preceded in death by his parents, his three siblings and his infant daughter, Sylvia Diane. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 64 years, Lillian Clopton; a daughter, Vivian Arney Myers (David); his grandchildren, Jason Hart (Pam) and Heather Mason (Jeremy); and his great-grandchildren, Jeremy, MacKenzie, Nicholas and Wes.
Vid died as he had lived – at peace with God and man. The family he so loved wanted to share a little about his very active life. He would have said to keep the obituary short, because "those who know me, know me. Those that do not really don't care."
The family will receive friends 12:30-1:45 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20 at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd. A Celebration of Life will follow at 2 p.m. Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice, or to Hilton Baptist Church, 101 Main Street, Newport News, 23601. Online condolences may be offered at www.nelsencares.com and www.vagazette.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Thinking of you so often. I miss running to you in Williamsburg or Newport News.
Carol Clements
Dover, De.
Carolyn Clements
April 16, 2013
Lillian, I wrote in this earlier to express our sympathy on the loss of Vid. I sent a card to an address listed in phone book,but it came back. Jane & Ray Novey
April 15, 2013
My condolences and prayers are with you. May the Almighty give you comfort and peace.
C Jackman
March 29, 2013
Vid had a profound impact on everyone with whom he came in contact. I will never forget him.
Barbara Gay
March 26, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. Vid's smiling face always lite up the room, we will miss his visits.
Hudgins Holiday
March 22, 2013
The world has lost a warm and loving person
who made a special difference every day,
Yet all those seeds of love so gently planted
leave blossoms
that will never fade away.
Special thoughts go out to you and your family,
Eulan and Trudy Chism
March 21, 2013
Dear Vivian,
I am so sorry to hear about your dad's passing. I know he was a special dad, and my father really thought highly of him. We will keep you and your family in our prayers.
Carolyn Cocke Stallings
March 21, 2013
His obituary was as modest as the man himself. One of the original Army Rangers he scaled the cliffs at Normandy and won the Distinguised Service Cross, an honor that few real warriors win. Vid was a true patriot and American Hero.
Willaim Emerick
March 21, 2013
I believe Vid Clopton won the Silver Star at the scaling of Point De Hoc, France on D-Day....this proud nation thanks him for his service. He also serviced his community as a Mason: I am proud to have know him and to have sat in lodge with him many times. God bless him and his family.
Bob Watkins
March 20, 2013
VID, CUT MY HAIR FOR MANY YEARS ON WARWICK BLVD.. I FOUND HIM A REAL PLEASURE TO BE WITH. WE SAT TOGETHER IN WARWICK LODGE 336 MANY TIMES. I WILL MISS HIS SMILE.
DAVID CROCKETT
March 20, 2013
I met Vid when I went thru His Barber School in 1961.I was only 16 years old and myself and a friend attended the very first class.It was across from Stoney Brok. He gave us a chance,and a job. We worked for him in a shop at the corner of Deep Creek road and Warwick Blvd. Vid let us run the shop by ourselves at only 16 years of age. Not many people would have done that. Vid was a fine christian man.He will be greatly missed. God bless his family, oh what memories you must have, I too have his memory.
Joe Williams
March 20, 2013
Vid was a true Officer and a Gentleman.
Ted Cool
March 20, 2013
Dear Lillian,
We will always remember Vid's "Hi, neighbor" as we walked by, in front of your house, on our strolls around Mill Creek Landing. We pray that the wonderful memories of your 64 years together will comfort you at this time and bring you peace.
With love,
Bill and Sofi Starnes
Bill and Sofi Starnes
March 19, 2013
Vid was a great example of "The Greatest Generation". You have both been a wonderful addition to our neighborhood.
Anne & Art Johansen
March 19, 2013
Vid was truly a giant among gentle men. He freely gave of himself to others as a mentor and friend.. He made the sunshine during dark times. He will be missed.
Gary Farmer
March 19, 2013
Vid was a truely an oustanding elderly statesman who represented his generation and fellow veterans with dignity and reverence. He will truely be missed.
John Yakshe
March 19, 2013
Vid will be missed by everyone that ever had the opportuntiy and privledge to meet him. He was the most special friend that I have had in a very long time. Both in and out of Lodge. A kind, gentle, friend who always had a smile for you, and his special saying of "Bless your Heart" everytime anyone would say that they had been thinking of him. Just spending time with Vid caused you to come away with a smile and just feeling good about life. My prayers go out to his family and I am thinking of Lillian and wishing her the best. I will miss my friend very much.
Chuck Hall
March 19, 2013
For the short time as our neighbor we enjoyed the pleasure of knowing you.
John and Alexandria Schaffer
March 19, 2013
Such a fine Christian man and great friend of my parents. He will be missed here but looking forward to seeing him again in Heaven. Much love and prayers to his wonderful family.
Debra Parker
March 19, 2013
My thoughts and Prayers are with the Clopton Family .Vid was truly a fine man , I enjoyed talking to him , and listening to his World War II experiences at our Masonic meetings .He surely will be missed .
Clinton Hogg
March 19, 2013
Vid was my barber in Newport News. It was always a pleasure to visit his shop for a good haircut and good conversation.
Leroy Spearman
March 19, 2013
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
Carol and Frank Clements
March 19, 2013
Vid was such a fine person and he was so good to Richard and me. Know that we love you and are praying. Richard & Alice Moore
March 19, 2013
Vid (Poppy) opened his arms and his heart not only to my daughter, his grandson's wife, but to my whole family. We are so much better for having known him. His joy, his grace, his humor, his constant smile and upbeat words will live with us always. He will be so missed! Vid was a true southern gentleman. My deepest sympathy to Lillian, Vivian and family and know that he is now at peace with our Lord.
Lois Seiner
March 18, 2013
I remember my father taking me to get my haircut when Vid and Claude Quick cut hair at Deep Creek Rd and Warwick Blvd. He was a good friend to the Fox family,to me, my father, and even my grandfather. I saw him at Hardees in Lightfoot about 3weeks ago. Was glad I got to see him one last time. He will surely be missed by many. He was truly one of a kind and on behalf of the Fox family here and in heaven I would offer our deepest and most sincere sympathies to his family. May God bless them in their time of sorrow and lift their hearts knowing he is with God.
Howard Fox
March 18, 2013
Dear Lillian, Although we did not know Vid for very long, he became one of our favorite neighbors in Colonial Heritage. I will always remember him outside in the garage working on one project or another. He would always love to stop and have a chat. We will miss him, but know he's in a better place now. Cathy & Dave Croston
March 18, 2013
Dear Lillian and family, We were sorry to hear of Vid's passing. You all are missed in the old neighborhood. Jane & Ray Novey
March 18, 2013
My Prayers are with you all. Vid was a great man and will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Pamela Meadows
March 18, 2013
May you find peasce in knowing that Poppie is at peace and walking the streets of Gold with our Savior Jesus. He was a wonderful man and role model for Jason and Heather. I will always remember his gentle spirit. Love, Donna Martin
Donna Martin
March 18, 2013
To the Clopton family my thoughts and prayers to you,I have known Vid for yearsand it goes back to when Vid had a barber shop on Warwick Blvd. and in the Deep Creek area, he cut my hair many times and never did mention his honors that had been bestowed upon him during World War 11. Vid was one of our great Americans and I would say a Hero that a lot of people did not know. Vid is another one of those vanishing "Great Americans"of the W/W 11 era.
Dale Parsons
March 18, 2013
I remember him fondly from the family reunions. My thoughts are with you all.
Ceci Brown
March 18, 2013
My god bless you and your family in your time of sorrow and rest easy knowing our father in heaven has welcomed Vid as his newest guardian angel to watch over us.
Truly a great and insiring man to me ever since the first day we met!
Craig Meadows
March 18, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are for the Clopton family in this time of sadness. Vid was one of the greatest men I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I just hope that I can always live up to his expectations. I will never forget his friendship.
David Hardin
March 18, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends during this time of sorrow. Please find peace and comfort in Isaiah 65:17,21-24.
Jeanette
March 18, 2013
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