Dr. Jerry J. Clem Jr.

John Jerome (Jerry) Clem Jr. A long time Richardson orthodontist, beloved brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed surrounded by his wife, Martha, and family into the arms of Jesus and a large family of loved ones including his beloved grandson, James waiting excitedly for his homecoming arrival on April 29, 2020 after a rewarding and happy 88yrs. Jerry was born on Dec. 30, 1931 in Texarkana, TX to John Jerome Clem and Martha Elizabeth Clem (née Segers). As a young man he delivered the newspaper and groceries, as well as selling bibles door to door across the south. He was an active member of Highland Park Baptist Church and a Boy Scout earning the rank of Eagle Scout. At Texarkana H.S. he lettered in several sports and was a stand out on their football team where they made it all the way to the state championship. He received numerous football scholarship offers and choose to further his athletic and academic career at SMU (1949-1953) where he played both guard and linebacker positions, and was voted team captain by his teammates. He met the love of his life, Martha at Baylor Hospital in Dallas, where she worked and he went into have knee surgery from a football injury. They married on March 16, 1953. After SMU he played in the 1954 College All-Star Classic game and spent one year in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles. He returned to Dallas when he received his acceptance into Baylor Dental School. He worked many jobs to put himself through dental school including: The Air National Guard, off shore drilling for Mobil Oil, and a phlebotomist at Wadley Blood Bank. He graduated from Baylor dental school in 1960 with his D.D.S. and set up his orthodontics practice in Richardson, TX. He was truly a gifted artist with a very keen eye, giving beautiful smiles to all of his patients. Jerry was very devoted to his faith and family. He served as a deacon and 11th grade Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church of Richardson for 20 years. He was a founding board member of Richardson Heights Bank and Trust. Jerry loved to give back, he taught dental classes at Baylor Dental School, was active in the J. J. Pearce Booster Club, an Indian Guide leader, and helped coach R.S.I. football. During the 1980’s Jerry formed J.J. Energies Co. and helped Martha run her Christmas store, Clem’s Christmas Haus. He became a member of Heights Church of Richardson where a very close family friend from Texarkana, Dr Phil Lineberger was pastor. Jerry was very active with Martha at The Heights Church. He loved his Sunday school class and its members. He also loved traveling and singing with the Senior Saints Choir under their beloved Associate Worship Director, Angela Irby and was an active member of Gideons International. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, older sister, Amye Jo Cook, and grandson, James R. W. Dunlop. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Martha Marie Clem (née Klandrud), his children Cynthia Marie Christensen (husband Kevin) of Kansas City, KS, Pamela Elizabeth Perry (husband David) of Bentonville, AR, Rebecca Jane Dunlop (husband Woody) of Parker, TX, John Jerome Clem lll (wife Jan) of Edmond, OK, Nancy Ligon Gilbert (husband Bill) of Mesquite, TX, and brothers, Dick Clem (wife Becky) of Tallahassee, FL, Tom Clem of Texarkana, TX, and Jim Clem (wife Linda) of Texarkana, TX, grandchildren, Amye Elizabeth Dunlop of Dallas, TX, John Jerome Clem lV (wife Linzi) of Edmond, OK, Christian Peter Christensen (wife Sara) of Kansas City, MO, Laura Elizabeth Perry of Bentonville, AR, John Riese Wesley Dunlop of Allen, TX, Ashley Denise Thomas (husband Matt) of Yukon, OK, Trevor Joseph Gilbert (wife Madisyn) of Mesquite, TX, Meghan Elizabeth Gilbert of Santa Monica, CA, great- grandchildren, Hallie Grace Clem and John Jerome Clem V of Edmond, OK, Olivia Morgan Thomas and Dillon Jasper Thomas of Yukon, OK, Stanley James Christensen of Kansas City, MO, Remington Nancy Gilbert of Mesquite, TX. 1Corinthians 15:55-57 “Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. A Homecoming Celebration to honor Jerry will be held at The Heights Church Richardson at a future date. In lieu of flowers donations for bibles in Jerry’s name can be made to: The Gideons International P. O. Box 940231 Plano, TX 75094-0231 To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Dr. Jerry J. Clem Jr. please visit our Sympathy Store.