Clarence E. Gullion

Clarence loved fly fishing, surf fishing, watching football, looked forward to seeing the sunrise every morning, watching all kinds of birds all day and Clarence wanted to make a new friend every day.

A Celebration of Clarence's life will be held on Monday, January 13, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Manasota Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 1221 53rd Avenue East, Bradenton, Florida. Burial will take place on Tuesday, January 14, 2014, 12:00 noon, at Holly Hill Memorial Park in Middleburg, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Clarence's name to Tidewell Hospice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Manasota Memorial Park and Funeral Home, Bradenton, Florida.

The following is the obituary that Clarence, himself, left for his family.

Clarence Ellsworth Gullion, (Ole Muz - Ole Gull) was born June 3, 1929. He was a son of the late Elmar H. Gullion and Lillie M. Bray Gullion. He was born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. He was raised in South Central and Southwest Missouri; Cabool, Willow Springs, Springfield, Missouri. He lived and grew up as a farm boy, milking cows, gathering eggs, feeding pigs, hunting rabbits and squirrels and playing with his younger brother, Albert. Just being boys.

Clarence attended a one room school, “Victory” grades 1, 2 and 3. “Cabool Elementary School” for grade 4. A one room school “Excellor” for grades 5 and 6. “Cabool Elementary and High School” for grades 7, 8 and 9. “Willow Springs High School” grades 10, 11 and 12. He graduated May 14, 1948. He attended Southwest Missouri State at Springfield for 2 years.

Clarence worked for the U.S. Forest Service during the summers of 1945 to 1950 fighting forest fires. Clarence entered the U.S. Navy on June 22, 1951. He was a Patrol Bomber Squadron VP-5, P2V-5 planes, Atlantic fleet, and was discharged on June 21, 1955. Clarence was also a railroad man, “Trainman” from December 1955 to October 1989 for ACL, SCL and CSX in Jacksonville, Florida, where he moved boxcars.

Clarence loved fly fishing, surf fishing, watching football, looking forward to seeing the sunrise every morning, listening and watching all of the birds. Clarence wanted to make a new friend every day.

Clarence met Loreda Meadows in September 1957. They were married April 19, 1958. They had 51 happy years together. Loreda went to be with the Lord July 14, 2009. They raised 4 wonderful children, Michelle, Forrest, Jerry and Denise and also had 4 grandchildren.

Clarence and Loreda lived in Jacksonville, Florida and attended Lake Forest Baptist Church. While living in Greenwoods, South Carolina they attended Rice Memorial Baptist Church. They then moved back to Jacksonville, Florida and attended Cedar Hill Baptist Church. In 1975 they moved to Lawtey, Florida and attended Evergreen Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Starre. The final move was to Bradenton, Florida in November 2007.

Clarence’s life really changed in 2004 when Loreda’s health caused him to become her caregiver until July 14, 2009. While caring for Loreda, he learned what love was and how to show it. He also learned what it is to be a man.