Clyde Secrest

Secrest, Clyde Allen (Sid, Bud, Zeke, Al, Allen), 82, of New Athens, OH, died on July 3, 2012. He returned to his home town in 1998, after residing in the Portsmouth, OH area for over 40 years. He was born on June 30, 1930 in New Athens, OH, a son of the late Clyde F. and Lillie Henderson Secrest. He was a graduate of Franklin High School, New Athens, where he lettered in basketball, football and baseball. A veteran of the Korean Conflict, he honorably served as staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force from 1948 to 1952. While in the Air Force, the Navy recruited him for their football team in Guam. Offered a football scholarship at Miami University and a baseball scholarship at The Ohio State University (OSU), he accepted the OSU award and lettered in the sport prior to a baseball head injury which ended his athletic career. Clyde retired from Goodyear/Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Piketon, OH after 40 years of dedicated service. He attained the position of Superintendent, Maintenance Operations. He worked at Powhattan Coal Company in his early years. He was committed to community service and development of youth. He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America for 50 years, served as volunteer Camp Director at Camp Oyo and member of several scouting boards; awarded the Silver Beaver Award (the highest recognition bestowed upon an adult volunteer leader). He was recipient of the "Kid-Minded Award" for outstanding service in the community to youth. Besides recognition for his dedication to community, his athletic prowess was honored when he was recently inducted into the Harrison County Athletic Hall of Fame. He was an active member of St. Mary's Church in Waverly, OH; St. Mary's Catholic Church in Portsmouth, OH and most recently St. Paul's Catholic Church in Flushing, OH. He was volunteer and past president of the Portsmouth Catholic Adults for Youth (CAY), a group that raised thousands of dollars each year to benefit Notre Dame High School, Portsmouth, and instrumental in providing financial support to Special Olympics, Scouts and Salvation Army. At Christmastime, his Santa Claus self appeared at nursing homes and homes for developmentally disabled children. He was an active member and past president of Franklin Museum and was instrumental in reorganizing the museum in the late 1990's. He was a member of several other organizations including Fraternal Order of Eagles and the American Legion. After retirement, his hobbies expanded to attending auctions; becoming an auctioneer, flea marketing; traveling to assure he visited all 50 states and trips on the Delta Queen. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Loretta Marlene Hopkins Secrest after 38 years of marriage, and a sister, Gertrude Yemich. Surviving are his wife, Judy; daughter, Vickie Montague (William) and beloved granddaughter, Shannon Secrest Montague; three sisters, Mary Alice Romshak, Martha Jane Dale and Sue McCue (Robert); many nieces and nephews and other family members and friends. Friends may call Thursday, July 5 from 1-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Clark-Kirkland Funeral Home, 172 S. Main St., Cadiz, OH. A short prayer service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Paul's Catholic Church, 115 Morristown Rd., Flushing, OH on Friday, July 6 at 11:00 a.m. by Rev. Fr. Fred Kihm. Interment will be in Longview Cemetery, New Athens after Mass. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's Catholic Church, 115 Morristown, OH 43977; Franklin Museum, P.O. Box 186, New Athens, OH 43981. The greatest memorial gift would be a donation of a unit of blood or platelets to the American Red Cross in his memory. Blood and platelets extended Sid's (Bud's) life for many months and made it possible for him to celebrate his granddaughter's graduation from high school and admission to the University of Notre Dame which gave him great joy. He will be remembered by those who love him as a passionately patriotic man, committed to service to his community, and devoted to God, his family and country.

Service

Thursday, July 5, 2012 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Clark-Kirkland-Barr Funeral Home, Inc.
172 South Main Street Cadiz 4390, United States

Service

Friday, July 6, 2012 11:00 AM
St. Paul Catholic Church
Flushing 43977, United States