Mahlon & Betty Clements

Mahlon Thompson Clements, age 88, of Morristown, NY, passed away peacefully Monday evening, September 23, 2024, at Glens Falls Hospital with his family by his side. The youngest in his family, Mahlon was born on December 22, 1935, in Lisbon, NY, to the late George W. and Elma Dacie (Thompson) Clements. He grew up on the family farm on the St. Lawrence River in Lisbon but moved to Ogdensburg to attend Ogdensburg Free Academy. After high school, Mahlon went on to graduate from the University of Rochester in 1957 and Cornell Law School in 1960. Mahlon became a union carpenter and worked at least one summer oiling forms for the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Mahlon met his future wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Briggs, at the University of Rochester, and they were married in 1959. Mahlon and Betty settled in Morristown in 1960. He started his long legal career under the guidance of Ross Brown, and, at the time of his death, Mahlon was the dean of the St.Lawrence County Bar Association. In the early 1970’s, he established The Clements Firm, with offices in Canton and Morristown. Mahlon was involved in several interesting cases, including representation of opponents of a high-voltage transmission line through St. Lawrence County. This led to an interview by Mike Wallace on “60 Minutes.” He mentored numerous young lawyers over the years.

Mahlon was a devoted husband and father. He spent many summer nights with his family at Morristown's little league baseball fields and weekends exploring the 1000 Islands on a variety of boats. Mahlon was an accomplished pilot and enjoyed flying with his family to Maine, Florida and other destinations. He was also an experienced blue water sailor, sometimes sailing his boats between the Northeast and the Caribbean. Mahlon had boundless energy and intellectual appetite for a wide variety of business pursuits and activities including a computer business, an air taxi business and an electrical co-generation plant. In 1998, Mahlon established The Clements Agricultural Research Institute at the family farm in Lisbon to promote organic farming. He was also a founding member of Morristown’s Gateway Museum.

Mahlon was predeceased by his loving and very patient wife, Betty, on September 3, 2024. He was also predeceased by his beloved sister Georgena Hull and his big brothers Wallace and Paul Clements. Mahlon is survived by his three sons, Thomas Clements (wife Dina), Mahlon “Chris” Clements (partner Katherine) and Douglas Logan Darrow Clements; his dear grandchildren, John Clements, Kathryn Clements (husband Neil Rodrigues), granddaughter Xiao Yu Clements and grandson Xi Wang Clements; nieces Joanne Dingus, Patty Wilkes and Amanda Clements; nephews William and Robert Hull, Minot, Gary, and Richard Clements; sister-in-law Louise Greabell; brother-in-law Richard W. Briggs (wife Mary), and a group of friends as diverse as his interests.

Condolences and fond memories for both Mahlon and Betty may be shared at foxandmurrayfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Morristown Public Library or the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Fox & Murray Funeral Home at 528 Franklin Street, Ogdensburg, NY, and friends of Mahlon and Betty are invited to calling hours at the funeral home on October 18, 2024, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family.