Clair Paul Uitts Sr.

Clair Paul Uitts was born in rural Independence, Kansas, August 31, 1936, and welcomed into the arms of his loving parents – Paul and Berla Uitts. On September 4, 2025, 89 years later, he transitioned from his home in White City, Florida, into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Mission Accomplished!

Clair grew up on the family farm in Independence and enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. His parents instilled in Clair and his siblings the value of hard work, strong moral convictions, and love for the Lord, family, and country. Clair had a passion for International Harvester (IH) Tractors and had his own red and white 1206. He enjoyed watching rodeos, Classic Tractor Fever, and tractor pulls on the RFD Channel; it brought back special memories of days gone by on the farm.

After graduating high school at Independence Bible School, Clair went on to attend Bethany Nazarene College. He was employed with Coca-Cola while also serving in the Air National Guard. Early on, Clair drove a school bus to help support the family. In 1967 Clair met and married the love of his life – Mary Bouington Cumbie. Mary was widowed in 1965 and had two children, Debbie and Buddy. Without reservation, Clair loved and embraced Debbie and Buddy as his own; this bond continued until the day of his death. In 1969, the family unit was complete when they welcomed another son – Clair Paul, Jr. “CP” into the world. God does all things well!

The family remained in Kansas until 1972, when Clair answered the call to ministry and moved the family to Florida to accept the pastorate at the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Apalachicola, a church that Mary’s father built with his own hands. In 1976 the family moved to Elk City, Kansas, when Clair accepted the call to pastor on the Nazarene Joplin district. Clair also pastored in McCune, Kansas, and in Jonesboro, Arkansas, before settling in Carl Junction, Missouri in 1994 where he would eventually retire in 2021, after 49 years of ministry. Some of Clair’s most treasured experiences in ministry were his work-and-witness mission trips, both overseas and stateside. He loved helping at district assemblies and experienced great satisfaction in helping run the youth camp snack shack for three generations.

There was not a pretentious bone in Clair’s body; he lived a life of humility and meekness. Clair Uitts was genuine. He was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dad, a grandfather, and a friend. Whether you referred to Clair as Dad, Papaa, Pap, Pa, Brother Clair, or Pastor Uitts – above all these identifiers, Clair was a respected man of God. He quickly became a community pastor in each of the communities where he ministered. He joined fire departments, worked in food pantries, officiated weddings and funerals, dedicated children, and baptized believers. He rolled up his sleeves and served wherever and whenever the need arose. Clair’s love and compassion was obvious. His very heartbeat was to be a faithful servant of the Lord and a blessing to people, regardless of church affiliation or lack thereof. He was interested in building the Kingdom of God and, in the end, hear his Heavenly Father say, “Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant. Enter In.”

Clair dearly loved all his family and considered his in-laws as extra brothers to his own siblings. He was predeceased by his parents; his beloved wife of 36 years – Mary; his siblings – Kenneth Uitts, and Mary Jones (Lloyd); his grandson – Michael Turner; his sons-in-law – Brady Turner and Ronnie Coatney; his in-laws – Charlie Bouington, Oma “Bo” Bouington (Von), Yvonne Money (Edward), Bill Bouington (Joan), JW Bouington, Miriam Pfeifer (Ken), and Barbara Parker (Don).

He is survived by his three children – Debbie Coatney of Apalachicola, Buddy Cumbie (Mary Lou) of White City, and Clair Paul ‘CP” Uitts (Kellie) of Port St. Joe; his grandchildren – Amy Turner Cromwell (Seth) of Ocklawaha, FL, Justin Turner (Karen) of Chanute, KA, Jacob Phillips of Auora, CO, and Brooklyn Uitts of Port St. Joe; and two great grandchildren – Allisyn and Avery Turner of Chanute, KA; and two sisters-in-law – Norma Uitts and Betty Bouington, and a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and fellow ministers.

Clair’s Homegoing service will be held Thursday, September 11, 2025, at the Fellowship Baptist Church located at 10 Ellis Van Fleet Street in Apalachicola, Florida. This visitation will begin at 10:30 EST, followed by the Service at 11:00 EST with Pastor Brian Ortmann, Pastor Sharlett Gathers, and Pastor Tim Bailey officiating. Immediately following the service, Pastor Uitts will be laid to rest beside his wife at Magnolia Cemetery in Apalachicola, Florida.

All arrangements have been entrusted to our friends – Jared “Tater” and Sarah Whitehead and the wonderful staff at Comforter Funeral Home in Port St. Joe.