SGT (Ret) Richard Louis Clauson

Richard Clauson November 5, 1935 - June 10, 2010 COLUMBUS, GA — SGT (Ret) Richard Clauson, 74, of Columbus, Georgia died Thursday, June 10, 2010 at Martin Army Community Hospital after a brief illness. Mr. Clauson was a retired Army NCO, who provided a home for his family in the Columbus area since the early 1960s. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, June 14, 2010 in the Chapel of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, GA. 31907. Interment to follow in Parkhill Cemetery. The family will receive friends this afternoon from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Mr. Clauson was born in Lyman, Nebraska on November 5, 1935, the son of Harold Clawson and Clara Cottrell Clawson. He began working in the stockyards of Green River, Wyoming at age 12 to help support his family. He entered the military in 1955, and served in Korea, Germany, and several other posts before being deployed to Vietnam in 1966. While 'in country', Mr Clauson was assigned to the famed 1st Aviation Detachment of the 1st Cavalry Division, known as the Guns-A-Go-Go. While with the Go-Go unit, Richard served as both supply NCO and waist gunner. He was recommended for a silver star, but received the bronze star for bravery under fire. Mr Clauson spent his life putting the interests of his country and his family before his own, conducting himself with pride and dignity all of his life. He was a loving husband and father, and his son's greatest hero. Other than his parents, Richard is preceded in death by brother, Don Clawson and half-brother, Glen Eley. He is survived by his wife, Sara Konyen Clauson; son, Gerald Clauson and wife, Sharon Janelle Hudgins Clauson; brothers, Harold Clawson and wife, Barbara, and Vernon Clawson and wife, Dottie; sisters, Laura Ratliff, and Mary Milton and husband, Truman; half-sisters, Glenda Howard and husband, Bill, and Judy Logan and husband, John; brother-in-law, Michael Konyen and wife, Ericka; sisters-in-law, Katherine Sayers, Gretel Harrel, Regina Konyen, Else Talbert and husband, Robert, and Adelhyde Konyen; and numerous nephews and nieces. Condolences may be offered at www.shcolumbus.com