Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Sgt. Don A. Clary

Don A. Clary Obituary

Military service ran in Don Clary''s blood, so it was no surprise to his sister when he joined the National Guard at the age of 17. Clary''s father was a Vietnam veteran and his grandfather served in World War II and the Korean War. "He also knew the day could come that he would have to give his life in order to save someone else''s, and that he would do it without hesitation and with pride," his sister, Kristy Clary said. "And that''s what he did." Clary, of Troy, Kan., died Nov. 8 when he and another soldier tried to protect their convoy from an insurgent car that exploded in Baghdad. He was based in Horton, Kan. Clary, 21, the youngest of five siblings, also felt a duty to help his family when they needed it. He quit college to take care of his father when he became gravely ill and stayed by his side until he died. "You''re never ready for anybody to die, even if they are on their death bed for a month," said Nick Dannevick, a counselor at Clary''s high school. "For a young person like this, whose life was basically ahead of him, it''s awful sad."

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post on Feb. 9, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Don A. Clary

17 Entries

Alexander Clary

December 7, 2023

To family of Sgt. Don Clary:
I saw Sgt. Clarys commemorative dog tag on a Traveling Wall of Soldiers killed during the Global War on Terror (GWOT) back last Summer at Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia during an American Legion Post 62 event. My self being a Clary took a picture of his tag and I found it here recently and looked his obituary up for info. I was in Iraq during November 2004 in the Babylon Region but I do not know Don. I know there are not alot of us Clarys and figure we may been kin somewhere down the line.
I want to express my condolences for his family and for another of my fellow "Brothers" gone from that time.
Alexander B. S. Clary "Smitty"
Bedford County Virginia

August 28, 2012

We still thank you Don Clary for what you did for us.

Peggy Childers

November 8, 2011

To the family and friends of Sgt. Don A. Clary:
Please accept my remembrance of Don on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.

Peggy Childers

November 8, 2010

To the family and friends of Sgt. Don A. Clary:
Remembering Don on the anniversary of his passing. May our fallen heroes never be forgotten!
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

Kenna Larra

August 6, 2009

”Honor and Remember” - “Project Compassion” We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families of our fallen heroes. War does not discriminate – It breaks our hearts to see the faces of the fallen. We want to give this gift to you. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Over 1,660 portraits have been completed and shipped to the parents and or spouse - at no cost as this is a gift from one American to another!
Contact us directly at [email protected] or go to www.heropaintings.com . If you have already had a portrait completed, we pray that you are enjoying the portrait and God Bless You.
Sincerely and Respectfully,
Kenna

In Memory of Don ~ (Debra Estep)

November 8, 2008

Holding you all in my thoughts and prayers.

The Wind on The Downs

“I like to think of you as brown and tall,
As strong and living as you used to be,
In khaki tunic, Sam Brown belt and all,
And standing there and laughing down at me.
Because they tell me, dear, that you are dead,
Because I can no longer see your face,
You have not died, it is not true, instead
You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe;
I hear you laughing as you used to do,
Yet loving all the things I think of you;
And knowing you are happy, should I grieve?
You follow and are watchful where I go.”

(Written by Marian Allen during World War l )

Two lines that I wish you to keep near your heart…….

“You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe”

I did not know Don, but I am remembering
his service and sacrifice. He is my hero. !

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Other Side

i'm over on the other side
where life and death softly divide.
left my skin and bones behind
now i'm over on the other side.

can you feel me there with you?
my breath is gone but i'm not through.
loved you then and i still do
from over on the other side.

i can fly. really fly.
below the earth ... all through the sky.
tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side.

it's good here on the other side.
the sweetest songs...the bluest skies.
thank you for the tears you cried
but it's good here on the other side.

i can fly. really fly. below the earth...all through the sky.
tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side

the world is smaller than a needle's eye.
where life and death softly divide.
when you leave your skin and bones behind
i'll be waiting on the other side.

i can fly. really fly. below the earth ... all through the sky.
go tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side.

Song lyrics by Don Conoscenti
C Desert Muse/SESAC
www.donconoscenti.com
(Used with permission)

“I hope it brings great comfort to any and all.
Peace on you. DonCon” 4-2008

The Other Side –
(To hear the song)
http://tinyurl.com/3o8gol

Sincerely,

Deb Estep ~ Ohio
Proud Air Force Mom SSgt Vince – Lackland AFB
Proud Air Force MIL SrA Dana – Randolph AFB

Remembering The Fallen – Blog
http://tinyurl.com/3z8p55

Angel and soldier drawing I have shared here.
http://tinyurl.com/6gey8b

B Ewing

July 30, 2008

Don you have a very special place in the hearts and prayers of your hometown. It is hard to have a soldier fall - but even harder when it's one of our own. You along with all of your family will always be remembered for all that has been given for our freedom.

April 20, 2008

You are remembered and respected. Thank you Sgt Clary!

July 29, 2007

If this person can stand in battle to ensure my freedom, then I will stand in grief with his/her family to honor him/her. For every fallen HERO there is a bright star that shines in the evening sky to remind us of the cherished gift we were given – even if for too short a time.
My heart breaks again as I sign yet another guest book of another courageous young soldier who gave their life so selflessly. I wish I never found myself in a position to have to sign another guestbook for the rest of my life, but I promised Le Ron A. Wilson (a dear friend KIA 7/6/07, 18yrs old) that neither he nor any like him would be forgotten and so I will continue until the day there is no longer the need.

PROUD MOTHER OF A U.S. SOLDIER
Althea Barrett (Queens, NY)

July 13, 2007

Thank you for the sacrifice made by Sgt Clary and the sacrifice made by everyone who loves and misses him! May God bless all of you!!

Suzie Clary

April 4, 2007

My deepest sympathy for the family who has lost future memories with Don. God Bless his family!

Garnet Jenkins

November 8, 2006

Paying tribute to Sgt. Don A. Clary, on this 2nd anniversary of the day he gave his life for our Country and for Freedom.
Rest Well Don Clary in the Hands of God.
You Will Never Be Forgotten.
You have Paid the Ultimate Price for So Many.
As with my brother, whom we lost in Vietnam, you will always be loved and missed by everyone whose life you touched.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13

Hoping you continue to feel the thoughts of caring and support that surround you each day, as this Country remembers someone very precious to you, who is a Hero to all of us.
I am deeply sorry for your loss.

Tom Gugliuzza-Smith

April 19, 2006

My heartfelt sympathy to the Clary family in the loss of Don. I did not know Don, but my heart is broken and I am saddened for your loss of such a fine young person and hero. May God bring you peace in your heart as you reflect on all the wonderful memories you hold so close. Please know that you are in my heart and prayers. Don it has been 17 months since you were taken. You are a hero and you will never be forgotten.

I send each of you a hug from the most inner part of my heart.

Love and Peace

Tom

To live in the hearts

of those you leave behind

is never to die"

~Robert Orr~

Sandi Breckenridge

February 6, 2006

Thank you Don Clary for ALL you did in the service of our country.

You ARE an AMERICAN HERO..

May GOD bless your family in their grief.

You will NOT be forgotten!

brad berkstresser

January 14, 2006

I am glad that I served with a nice guy and a true and only best friend.I will never forget you.

Patricia Howell

November 12, 2005

My deepest sympathy goes out to your family on the loss of Don. I know it must be terribly difficult to lose a child so young. He will always be remembered as a hero. My

mother lost a brother in World War 11 at the age of 21. I know if was so very hard on the family as it must be for your family. May God

bless you and watch over you until

the day you see your loved one again in Heaven.

Patricia Howell & Family

Showing 1 - 17 of 17 results