Thomas David Clemons

Thomas “Tommie” David Clemons, born July 11, 1936, returned home to our Heavenly Father on June 2, 2025. Tommie was born and raised on the White River in Casscoe, Arkansas, where he enjoyed “the best catfish in the world” and played guitar in local bands during his youth. Yearning for adventure and opportunity outside of Arkansas, as soon as he was old enough to enlist, he chose to honorably serve our nation by joining the United States Air Force. In 1959, after deployments to Texas, California, and Germany, he found his way to Louisiana where he began a career in aviation support for the petroleum industry at the New Orleans Lakefront Airport. By 1961, he planted roots in Slidell, Louisiana and eventually his experience in aircraft mechanic services parlayed into an opportunity to work for Chevron USA. While his home base for Chevron was New Orleans, his role involved extensive domestic and international travel, and he remained with Chevron until his retirement.

During his time with Chevron, he was building his family and was involved in various sports, church, and civic activities. He was instrumental in developing the Slidell Junior Bowling Association, enjoyed bowling with family and friends at Lakeshore Lanes, and enthusiastically traveled across the southeastern United States for youth bowling tournaments as a bowling coach. Tommie became involved in martial arts and spent a large portion of his life devoted to teaching the principles and craft of karate and other martial arts. With the help of family and friends (who would become lifelong friends), he developed karate schools in the New Orleans regional area, including Southern Black Belt Academy, and traveled nationwide for karate tournaments. He was committed to physical fitness and health and could often be found working out or playing racquetball at Cross Gates. During his travels, he enjoyed scuba diving, snow skiing, snowmobiling, four wheeling and zip lining. When his girls were school age, he was involved in parish life at Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Genevieve in Slidell, where he volunteered his time, talents and abilities, including providing karate demonstrations at church fairs. He was a member of the Slidell Elks lodge where the family enjoyed the swimming pool, bayou and Bingo. In his spare time, he was an avid hobby mechanic, rebuilding countless motors at his home garage. He had several prized “toys” including a ’66 convertible Mustang, a Corvette, motorcycles and a snowmobile, just to name a few.  His favorite pastime was spending quality time with those he loved. While Tommie had no trouble having fun with family and friends, he was no stranger to the salvation of Jesus Christ. Later in life, he attended church services at various Christian churches in the Slidell area and unquestionably accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and savior.

Preceded in death by his parents, William Clemons, Lottie (nee Markham) Clemons Cowan and Manual Cowan, siblings Jimmy Clemons (Shirley) and Lucy Clemons Bronson (Bob) Fox (Bill), and daughter Tommie Dare Marie Clemons. Tommie’s legacy will be cherished and kept alive by surviving daughters Jacki Grady (Michael) and Kellie Bell, their mother Flo Mattei Clemons, grandchildren Patrick Grady, Rainbow Laurant (Elson), Casey Meitzler (Eric), Robert Bell (Michelle), Ryan Bell, Kassadi Bell (Josh and Bear Hamilton), and great-grandchildren  London Maliden (Miles), Crimson Hawkins, Rizer Meitzler and Lyla Bell.  He was also looking forward to the upcoming birth of his newest great-granddaughter, Maia Bell. Additionally, Tommie is survived by many nieces, nephews, godchildren, cousins and extended family members as well as an incredible host of friends, whom he considered “chosen family”.

The family wishes to express sincere gratitude and appreciation to the entire staff at Summerfield Retirement Community, where Tommie made his home for the past 4 years. Additional thanks to his Ochsner healthcare team and Passages Hospice.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Funeral Service at HONAKER FUNERAL HOME, 1751 GAUSE Blvd. WEST (IN FOREST LAWN CEMETERY), Slidell, LA on Friday, June 13, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Friday after 12:00 P.M. until service time.

 Arrangements by Honaker Funeral Home, Inc., Slidell, LA.