Interview with Gerry Clemons & Family
BY VAL SCHOGER PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY WISHART
Only a few men will be tied as tightly to Panama City’s history and future as Girard “Gerry” Clemons. The former mayor of Panama City celebrated his 85th birthday with family and friends this year.
What are Gerry Clemons’ biggest accomplishments after almost a lifetime of community involvement? His answer is not ready-made and is characteristically thoughtful. As in years past, he does not take credit for Panama City’s growth and development. He had nothing but just one vote, he explains and gives credit to the city commissioners and city managers.
Girard L. Clemons, originally from Connecticut, joined the Marine Corps Officer training program in 1951 after attending Colgate University in upstate New York. He was stationed in Pensacola during Marine Corps Officer Flight Training and met his future wife, Barbara Wells, who had just earned her pharmacist degree at the University of Florida. “I married a girl from Blountstown,” is the answer when he is asked why he settled down in Panama City, of all places.
After marrying Barbara, he was stationed in North Carolina and sent to Korea and Japan. He left active duty in 1956 with a Captain’s rank and spent three years with the Marine Reserve Squadron in New Orleans. In 1957, he put down roots in Panama City with his young family. Barbara worked as a pharmacist and Gerry founded for two companies, Clemons & Campbell, Inc., and The Clemons Company.
The couple started getting involved with the community and volunteered with numerous organizations. Throughout the years, Barbara was an avid volunteer for several health organizations, served as president of the Guidance Clinic Board and supported Holy Nativity Episcopal School and the Panama City Library, just to name a few. In later years, Barbara was instrumental in founding the Bay Arts Alliance and actively supported several organizations that provided help in child development and advancement. She was the driving force behind the After School Assistance Program in Panama City. In succession, Gerry became the president of the Jaycees, the Chamber of Commerce and United Way.
In 1981, Gerry Clemons resolved to enter the race for Panama City’s mayoral seat. He was 51 and had successfully built his insurance business from the ground up. All children were adults and out of the house. His friends could not quite believe his candidacy. “They thought I had lost my mind,” he jokes.
He cared about the community, he watched how the city was run and had “some ideas,” he says humbly. He puts it simply, “Panama City is home.” Being an accessible mayor is one of the “few promises” he made during his first campaign. He held the position until 2005.
From 2005 to 2011, he helped oversee the construction of the new airport as member and later chairman of the Panama City/Bay County Airport Authority Board. He understood the significance of the old Panama City-based airport but also had to recognize that it had several drawbacks and was losing passengers every year. The benefits of the new airport are clear to him today. “The Airport Authority did good in providing better passenger service and I am hopeful that it will develop an industrial hub,” he reflects.
He remembers previous efforts to revitalize Downtown Panama City and approached all projects with fiscal responsibility. His city council meetings were called the most efficient. When he left office, there was a considerable surplus budget for emergencies, the city marina and St. Andrews marina were rebuilt and were making profits, several buildings such as the Marina Civic Center had been renovated and the cityscape was more attractive with the successful revitalization of McKenzie Park. “I think there is still very much space for a developed downtown,” he reflects today. “Every town center has gone through what we have gone through. I hope that there will be more development of retail space and residential space downtown.“
When the conversation moves to his family, his pride is evident. His calm voice fills the room. “I have been very blessed. I have five children and twelve grandchildren. One granddaughter recently got married. Ross’ children are aged 11 and 14 and they are the youngest. Most of the others are out of college and everyone is doing well.”
Life was not always easy for a family with five children. Gerry Clemons supported his wife in raising the kids and remembers. “Having dinner together was very important to me. Playing football with the boys, going to the beach. We went on family vacations every year, no matter how things were going financially. All five kids went with us and it created the fondest memories.”
How did these parents manage five kids while both worked fulltime and kept up with the active volunteer work in countless organizations?
There is no definite answer in a later interview with daughter Becky Clemons Rast. Like her father, she speaks softly, with confidence, and every sentence is paused by thought.
“When we were all young, with his involvement in the community, he might not have been at all our sporting events but for the most part he was there for us. He would have community meetings but I remember him being at home with us kids often. He did not become mayor until we were out of the house.”
She remembers the distinct feeling of trust. “My parents had a wonderful relationship and it provided security for us kids. I remember them holding hands forever.”
She admits, “My mother was a no-nonsense person. There was not an unspoken thought. We all did what she said. She would not let us argue with each other.”
Today, the five children are pillars of their own families and each remembers having the distinct sense of security growing up. In an effort to preserve the most determining moments of their childhood and youth, they created a unique piece of literature that tells the story of a devoted and loving father and grandfather. A collection of letters that are addressed to their father are compiled in one single book, and the family shares excerpts with our readers.
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LETTERS TO A FATHER: EXCERPTS
[divider]FROM GERRY
“Off-key baritone with a hymnal in his hand, General of the weekend yard army. … Assault on magnolia leaves interrupted by recurring back injury. Just in time for a football game on TV… Spell-binding reader of books. Especially those by doctors names Seuss. … Provider of security, comfort, self esteem, love. Teacher of Values.”
Gerry Clemons is a marketing professional and brand director. He lives with his family in Chicago where he works for a company that provides software and branding solutions to the health industry.
FROM SCOTT
“As a child I was thrilled by the way you read If I Ran the Zoo with so much excitement and animation. When your read it to my kids I laughed because I wasn’t sure who was having more fun.”
Scott Clemons earned his law degree from the University of the South at Sewanee and received his Juris Doctorate from Mercer University. After practicing law for five years, he joined the Clemons Co. in 1991 and serves as its CEO. He is a former Florida State Representative and was mayor of Panama City from 2007 to 2011.
FROM ROSS
“My first month at the academy was definitively the worst time of my life. … I was beginning to consider quitting. … I remember calling home… I don’t remember much from that phone conversation except one thing, you were coming up to see me at the first available weekend … my memory is testimony to the saying that “actions count more than words.” I don’t remember any of the particulars of what was said that weekend, but I clearly remember how I felt. … It did not seem that important to you whether I succeeded or failed, just that I kept trying … . Never since then have I ever seriously considered quitting any endeavor.”
Retired Colonel Ross Clemons recently joined the Clemons Company after 25 years of military service in the U.S. Army. After graduating from West Point, he was stationed all over the world.
FROM KATHIE
“… I remember your help in preparing me for my first election and first speech in the fifth grade. In your gentle way, you taught me to speak in public when given the opportunity and that to try is to win. I lost that election but gained an infinite amount of wisdom. … I try to teach my own children to be the best they can be.”
Kathie Bennett retired from a 35-year career as a flight attendant with Delta Airlines to follow her passion and lifelong love of literature that was inspired by her grandmother who had founded the first library in Blountstown, FL in the 60s and her mother who created an after-school literacy program in Panama City. As the founder of Magic Time Literary Agency, Kathie brings world-renowned authors to Bay County’s yearly event, BooksALIVE. She lives with her family in Spartanburg, North Carolina.
FROM BECKY
“I can’t remember not thinking that I had the best dad around. I can recall … [a schoolmate] trying to pick a fight with me in the fourth grade by telling me that her Dad was better looking than mine. The thought was so ridiculous that I didn’t even try to argue with her, I just felt sorry for her and all those people who were not part of our family. … There is no greater gift that a parent can give to a child than love and respect.”
Becky Rast graduated from the University of the South with a degree in English. She taught writing and literature and lives with her family in Peachtree City, Atlanta, Georgia. She recently retired from her position as school teacher.
[divider]Biographical Outline
GERRY CLEMONS
1951: BA, Economics, Colgate University
Marine Corps Officer Candidate Program 1953: Transferred to Pensacola, Florida for flight training and received his wings
2nd Marine Air Wing at Cherry Point, NC 1st Marine Air Wing at K3 in Korea 1st Marine Air Wing at NAS Atsugi, Japan
Assistant Division Air Officer with the 2nd Marine Division Camp LeJeun, North Carolina
1956: Left active duty with the rank of Captain
1956-1959: Reserve squadron VMF 143 in New Orleans
1957: Established an insurance and employee benefits business in Panama City, Florida that evolved to two corporations – Clemons & Campbell, Inc. and The Clemons Company
Member of the Million Dollar Round table for 32 years
Past President, Bay County Chamber of Commerce
Past President, Bay County United Way
Past Chairman, Bay Medical Center Board of Trustees
Past Chairman, Bay County Military Affairs Committee
Past Chairman, First Federal Savings and Loan Association
1981: Elected Mayor of Panama City and re-elected to ten additional two-year terms
Past Chairman, Airport Authority Board
Board of Directors, Bay County Library Foundation [/box] [divider]