Clarence L. Huggins III

FAYETTEVILLE - Clarence Lee Huggins III, of Fayetteville, who was a veteran, a paramedic, an instructor, a mentor and a friend, died Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte after a skydive landing accident. Clarence was born in Shaker Heights, Ohio, on January 27, 1967. He was 45 years old. A veteran, Clarence was a sergeant in the 2nd Division Marines at Camp Lejeune. He served as a sergeant in the Army National Guard in Ohio. He later served as a ranger with the Special Forces in the Army at Fort Bragg. He circled the globe four times in his various deployments. Clarence was a paramedic, most recently with Fort Bragg EMS. He was a part-time paramedic instructor at Fayetteville Technical Community College. Clarence studied biochemistry and business at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Clarence believed wholeheartedly that people and relationships were more important than money or prestige. He believed in the idea of going to sleep with as few regrets as possible, and to the best of his ability he lived his life by that idea. He believed that if he could do something or say something to make another person's life better, then he would do it or say it. Clarence's impact on everyone around him is reflected in the hundreds of messages on Facebook from colleagues, students, soldiers, veterans and friends whose lives were deeply touched and changed by his kindness. "[He] was truly one of the few REAL friends you get in this lifetime." "As a paramedic with 20 years of service and experience I am proud to consider Clarence a mentor and as a person I am proud to consider him a friend." "When you passed, the world lost a wonderful person and great paramedic. I feel privileged to have been your friend." "I literally don't even have the words to express the shock, pain, or emptiness. Clarence you will truly be missed. You affected and impacted so many lives." "Clarence was my mentor when I first joined the military. An outstanding marine, medic and leader. I owe a lot to the type of medic and soldier I am today thanks to him." "There are no words. Just shock. Disbelief. Grief. My heart hurts. We've lost someone very special." "I am what I am because of me. That's what you always told me. But the truth is that am a better person because of you!" "Words cannot express how you will be missed! You always had a way to make me laugh no matter the circumstances! You were truly an all around great person! You died doing what you enjoyed and lived life with the same passion! Rest easy! The world is a better place for having known you!" "Clarence touched so many of us in the EMS world. He was an incredible medic, friend, mentor, educator!" Clarence loved skydiving, and had accumulated more than 1,000 jumps throughout and after his military service. He once stated that if he could get paid for doing it, "Then that's what I would do." Clarence posted his last Facebook update while he was on his way to the skydiving facility: "Doing what I love." Fort Bragg EMS will stand guard at Clarence Huggins' flag-draped coffin, and a Fort Bragg EMS bagpiper will play Amazing Grace. The U.S. Marine Corps will present his father with the U.S. Flag while playing Taps. The service will be officiated by the Rev. James Banks, associate pastor of the Reeder Memorial Baptist Church of Charlotte. Clarence was never married, and he had no children. Clarence is survived by his father, and namesake, Clarence Huggins, MD, retired; stepmother Marie Huggins, MD, medical director at Fort Lee in Prince George, Va.; his older sister, Patricia Jean Huggins; his younger sister, Daphne Joyce Huggins; and his best friend and family member, Glen Rosen. Clarence was preceded in death by his mother, Carolyn Huggins; his maternal grandfather, Dr. Joseph King, DDS; his maternal grandmother, Georgina King; his paternal grandfather, Clarence Huggins Sr.; and his paternal grandmother, Alberta Huggins. The funeral service will be held in the chapel of Jernigan Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St. in Fayetteville, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012. A visitation with the family will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., and the service will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. During the service, guests may have the option of sharing their favorite "Clarence story" with everyone.