Joseph R. Clopton

Joseph R. Clopton of Rohnert Park, son of the late R. Clark and Victorine Clopton of San Francisco, passed away at Green Springs in Mendocino National Forest on August 5th, 2012. He was born on August 12th, 1948. Joe, brother of Sandra C. Linn, Mary Beth Patterson (George), & Marie Clopton, is greatly loved by everyone in his family. He is also survived by nieces and nephews Dana Flint, Susan Rajkumar (Raj), Gregory Patterson, Jule Woody (David) and G. Michael Patterson II (Sarah) and 6 grand-nieces and grand-nephews. He graduated from St. Ignatius High School in 1966, the University of San Francisco in 1970 and received his Master's in biology from Sonoma State University in 1972. He was a much-appreciated teacher of biology at Santa Rosa Junior College for 30 years. From his father, Joe learned to respect all things in the natural environment. Joe inspired his students and family with this love of nature. He pursued his passion for the sciences with careful diligence throughout his life. He was a gentle soul, devoted to family and friends. Philosophy, psychology, art, literature, and music were also a big part of his life. A service remembering Joe, open to everyone, will be held at Eversole Mortuary on Monday, August 13, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at 141 Low Gap Rd. in Ukiah. Burial will take place Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. at Ukiah Cemetery. We welcome donations to The Nature Conservancy in lieu of flowers.