Out of the night that covers me
Black as pit from pole to pole
I thank whatever gods maybe
for my unconquerable soul
In the fell clutch of circumstance 
I have not winced nor cried aloud
Under the bludgeonings  of chance
my head is bloody but unbowed
Beyond this place of of wrath and tears
looms but the Horror of the shade
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid
it matters not how straight the gate
How Charged with punishment the scroll
I am the Master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.    Wm Henley
From the years I new John from the marine recon stationed in Viet Nam..  Please be at peace and I am sorry I just discovered your passing but glad I uncovered your letters.  Lisa

John and I were in NOAA together and my best remembrance of John was his persona of leadership.  His booming voice, his unwavering decision making  and his commitment to his crew was know and appreciated by all.   I remember meeting up with him in port once in Alaska, having a drink with him and listening of the trials of the MF in the Bering sea.   He gave me some great advice on how to manage life at sea that I have always appreciated.   I wish John, his family and all fair winds and following seas.  He has one of a kind  RIP John.
Art Francis,
LtCdr Ret, NOAA

Time flies, and I'm late... just heard via the NC grape vine that John passed away.  Today, is the among the saddest days in my ridiculous life.  As all had stated, John was a giant and touched so many lives, mine included.  Everyday we all "grow up a bit more"  and my thanks to JC for helping me grow up a wee bit more, while serving under him on the Freeman. 

John, should I be lucky enough, some day I hope to be back with  you on your side of the bar....Sincerely Dan Cheng 

Cindy, Jim, Karen, David, Dana and Mary Ann,
I feel a deep loss myself at John’s passing. The few times I was able to get together with him were always reasons for celebration.  I really enjoyed those moments, cigars and rum drinks.  Deeply impressive was his career as a mariner; too bad I didn’t hear too many sea stories from him but I’m sure he had a few.
Sending you all hugs from the Husum family in Texas. Love you guys mucho.  
Farewell John; May you see the face of God.

John Husum

Captain John Clary was my commanding officer during 1996 aboard the Miller Freeman, at a time when the NOAA Corps was slated for elimination by the Clinton administration. The ship was known for being difficult sea duty, and many officers resigned rather than go to sea on the Miller Freeman.   If not for John I would never have persisted through those dark times.  He understood that you work with who and what you get to accomplish the mission, but more that that he was someone you would follow to the bitter end.  My time on the Miller Freeman (or "Sally," as John called her) became a source of pride, and I am still proud to have served under John Clary on that ship, at that time.  He was a leader who built leaders; a captain among captains.  An officer and a gentleman and a fine human being.  His legacy lives on and I will never forget.

John worked for me as CO of the "Pacific Marine Center" during my tour as Director of the Marine Operations Center.  I had not known John prior to those five years, but we became good friends and I depended on his counsel and advice on a regular basis.  He became my right hand man.

As many of you have noted in your comments, John represented the best qualities of a NOAA Corps Officer: honor, integrity, and  especially leadership.  He set the standard for those he worked for, for those he worked with, and for those who worked for him.

To Cindy and family my deepest condolences.   I know this will be a difficult time for you all.

John was simply the best of the best.

A true leader, mentor, and friend, Captain Clary you will be missed. I first met John during my first sea assignment aboard the Mighty Mother Freeman, when he arrived as the vessel's new CO.  It was like throwing a switch, overnight the crew and ship were better thanks to his leadership.

I remember he’d be in his cabin listening to the A&M football game on the radio and periodically call me (a fellow Aggie) on the bridge, tell me the score and hang up. I loved that and loved the fact that the CO thought enough of a lowly Ensign up on watch to make those calls. Working with him during that sea tour, and throughout my career, he taught me a lot about true leadership, respect, and remembering to enjoy life. One of the best sounds in the world was when in response to some comment or situation he’d let loose one of his deep “unrestricted” laughs… they could light up the darkest Alaskan night. Fair winds CO.

Thank you for everything, boss.  I will miss you a lot.  Remember the Sashin trip .......

It was my privilege to work with Captain Clary for over 15 years. John was a mentor, friend, and colleague. He will be remembered always for his ready smile and open door.  Thank you, John, for your friendship and guidance.

As a civilian Officer, I had a lot of respect for John and I think he felt the same way about me. I attended his retirement party at PMC and his family gave him scrapbooks so he could save all his memory scraps collected over the years. I hope he got a chance to complete the project. It's something I need to do. When we heard the sad news my wife and I toasted him that evening at dinner. I wish we lived closer but we don't. I just looked through all the pictures and fondly remember John's smile and laughter. We hoisted many a pint and a few cigars trying to improve NOAA or maybe, just ourselves.

Fairwinds and following seas Captain Clary.

There’s not much I can say that probably hasn’t already been said or felt by those who already shared their memories. Captain Clary was one of the great figures of the NOAA Corps. A pillar of leadership, the embodiment of our core values (before we even had any!) and an amazing mentor and tremendous human being.  I’ll miss our conversations about our love of Ford trucks.  I’m sad to see you’ve crossed the bar, but I’m forever thankful that I knew you. Enjoy Fiddler’s Green Captain. You’ve earned it. 

When I was about nine years old, my cousin John Clary was on leave from his time in Vietnam and came to visit us in Corpus Christi, Texas. He had saved his money and had purchased a new Camaro. I thought he was the coolest guy ever. His car had an eight track player...I’d never seen one. He took me for what I thought was a pretty wild ride and he plugged in an eight track tape of Johnny Cash ‘Live at Folsom Prison’. When I heard those lyrics, and the reaction of the prisoners, I was completely amazed. That one little ride opened my mind to the power of music and lyrics and was something that helped shape my life and career in music. Of course, as a man, a husband and a father I couldn’t have had a better role model. Also, my parents adored him too. 
The picture below is from a family gathering. That’s Johnny on the left and me in the Charley Brown sweater. 
I love you John Clary. You will be missed. 
-Jim Heath


David and Dana — my deepest sympathy to you and the Clary family. What impressive tributes to your brother.  He made good friends from Oak Cliff to Washington.  This fellow Texan shares your loss. 

I had the privilege and honor of meeting John many years ago and later working with him several times over the course of our NOAA Corps careers.  As I recently recalled to John, I knew he had reached legend status years ago when as a younger officer I took command of a NOAA ship in Pascagoula, MS, and would be primarily working in the Gulf of Mexico, but to all the "fish guys" it was widely known as "John's Pond".....affectionately named after John Clary.  I'll always remember John's deep commanding voice mixed in with that Texas accent and hearty laugh.  You'll be missed Captain Clary! 

Godspeed Captain,  


John was a great shipmate but an even better friend for over 
40 years! Many outstanding memories and long conversations 
about our passion for boats and fishing to hold on to. You will
truly be missed my friend!

When the school district was thinking of dropping my high school marine science & career program about a dozen years ago I went hat in hand to YMTA. John didn't know me from Adam but immediately volunteered to help. In no time he was twisting the superintendent's ear and we were back in business. John loved coming in to the class to mentor the students, share his love of the sea, and encourage young people to pursue a maritime career.  I think he may also have appreciated that our advisory committee liked to meet at a brewpub.  He joined the committee as an energetic professional but left as a friend.

Fair winds and following seas Captain. There is not, nor will there ever be, a better man. This Galveston Aggie feels a great sense of privilege for having known John. Gig 'Em!

We’ve lost an incredible friend and neighbor hood buddy... a great and accomplished man ... Johnny stepped up to the plate representing us and our Oak Cliff neighborhood in that terrible war in Vietnam.

He will be missed, but he and his mother & father, brothers& sisters will be forever in our hearts.  

He was raised by the best and most loving family I’ve ever, ever meet... His mother was a true angle...she loved every child in our neighborhood as her own... the best Cub Pack leader ever.  His dad John Clary was our scoutmaster and so loving to “all of his boys” in troop 528. They were my inspiration to achieve my own Eagle Scout.

I will carry the memory of Johnny and his mom & dad to my own grave.

Rest In Peace my dear friend.. 

Love, skipper

John loved the NOAA Corps and was always willing to do what he could to make it a better organization. I fondly remember his laugh, his smile and the “pickin and grinin” guitar sessions he made so much fun.

Apparently, there was something the bridge watch in heaven couldn't handle, trouble was brewing, time was running out, and a firm and steady hand was needed. So, the Good Lord looked around  and called the Captain to the bridge to sort the situation out. I guarantee it'll only be a few minutes before every thing up there is shipshape and Bristol fashion again.

Fair winds and following seas to an extraordinary colleague, an accomplished mariner, an outstanding officer, a gentle bear of a man, and a great friend who will never and can never be replaced.

I will deeply miss John who was a friend, mentor, colleague and fellow officer. John fought cancer hard like the Marine he was! He was always an officer and a gentleman.  A proud Aggie with a backwards Aggie clock in his office, he loved going to sea, drinking Alaskan Amber beer, eating hot sauce and drinking good Eight Bells wine. I recall he loved his family more than anything, even more than his beloved NOAA ship the Mother Freeman! I will miss this man very much who taught me many positive lessons and gave me his friendship. There is a big hole without him on earth.


I only knew John for the past couple of years after we moved in next door to John and Cindy in Lynnwood. He was working in his garage sawing wood for some project and greeted us with a smile and firm handshake. That's how I'll always remember him - a firm grip, a great smile and one of those men who can do anything. 

The old salt will be deeply missed by all of us in his and Cindy's former neighborhood. Our deep and heartfelt condolences to Cindy and John's entire family.  

The oceans of heaven have yet another angel sailing their waters. And we'll keep a weather eye to the horizon. 

-jl and Tom

CAPT Clary was one of the best officers I have ever known, always maintaining an even keel and not afraid to make decisions and stand up for what was right. I truly don't know where I would be today without his guidance and understanding during my early days at NOAA. Fair winds and following seas sir on this next journey. 
CAPT Michelle Pelkey, USPHS

OBITUARY

John Curtis Clary III

May 4, 1947 – April 2, 2018

Bauer Funeral Chapel

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