John Clackler

John D. Clackler passed away on Sunday May 4, 2025, at Meadowbrook Healthcare in Plattsburgh, N.Y. Born on September 25, 1945, to Dovard Earl “D.E.” and Charles Anna Shelton Clackler of Wetumpka, AL., he was known as Johnny to family.

John played the trombone during his school years. He was part of the Elmore County Marching Band that traveled to many band competitions and parades across the country. While attending the College of Pharmacy at Auburn University, he also was a proud member of the Auburn Marching Band. In his final year of college, he married his first wife Mary Hillsman Morriss on June 9, 1967. John and Mary were the parents of two children, Michael Andrew Clackler and Julie Morriss Clackler.

John enlisted in the Air Force in 1970 and spent his military career across the continental U.S. as well as overseas in Turkey. After getting out of the service in January 1984, John settled in Plattsburgh, N.Y., where he and Mary separated in 1985.

John was a staff pharmacist over the years at Fay’s Skyway, CVPH Medical Center, and Myers Drugs. When Walmart came to Plattsburgh in 1994, he was the supervising pharmacist until 2011.

On May 1, 1996, he married Ruth Taylor Murphy in Plattsburgh, and they enjoyed ballroom dancing together anywhere they could which included competitions. They were still happily married when she passed away in February 2018.

John was known for his quick wit and the mischievous twinkle in his eye.

He was pre-deceased by his wife Ruth Clackler, his parents D.E. and Charles Anna Clackler, and a brother-in-law Robert “Bob” Edward Hollands Jr. Surviving are his children, Mike “Drew” and Julie, a sister Mary Charles Clackler Hollands, and his first wife Mary Morriss Clackler. Also surviving are a niece Dr. Celeste Hollands, nephews Charles and Oliver “Baxter” Hollands and their families, and a sister-in-law Rachel Ann Taylor DeHanas.

At John’s request there will be no calling hours. A graveside service will be held later in the year at Riverside Cemetery in Plattsburgh.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wetumpka High School Band Program.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad Street, Plattsburgh, N.Y. 12901 (518)561-3980. Online condolences and memorial candles may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeny.com.