James Franklin Clements

Jimmy was born in 1941, in his home place on Woodpecker Road, where he grew up with his four brothers, Wilbourne, Cabell, Walter, and Charles, without a bathroom, running water, or electricity until 1954. Jimmy and Charles (Jimmy's younger brother) slept upstairs, where the water in their drinking glass would freeze and shatter on cold winter nights. He did his homework by the light of a Kerosene lamp and learned to strategically time his trips to the Johhny house, attached to the barn, so that he could make it through the night. Mom (Lillian) was the disciplinarian and would occasionally have to "swat" both Jimmy and Charles for such foolishness as repeatedly knocking over ornamental lawn chairs while visiting a neighbor. Dad (Wilbourne Sr.), when not working at the Beach Highway Department, loved to fish and knew all the sweet spots around Beach to catch the big ones. Occasionally, Jimmy got to go but not always because, "Dad was serious about fishing." Mr. Martin took Jimmy to school in a 1939 Ford school bus that meandered for eternity down Woodpecker, Bundle, River, Second Branch, and Beach Road, picking up the Condrey boys and girl (Sandy Mick) along the way before finally making its way to Thomas Dale (present day West Campus of Thomas Dale High School).

The family attended Second Branch Baptist Church where Jimmy's dad was a deacon and mom played the piano. Also, where Jimmy got in a fight during Sunday School with Dale Smith, missed his shot and landed a clean blow to Mr. Condrey's belly. Mr. Condrey then ceased his efforts to defray the situation and said, "have at it boys." The winner is still in dispute till this day. To be fair to the witnesses, there was a lot of dust.

Jimmy played football (Center) at Thomas Dale, and many times had to hitchhike to and from practice and school, seeing as Mr. Martin's bus had long since left. This gave Jimmy the perfect credentials later in life to be on the chain gang crew during the Vic Williams Era of Thomas Dale football. He worked his way through college (Business degree from RPI) by working third shift at both the Snow-White Motor Lodge on the Pike, and loading boxes for Mclean Trucking. During his last semester of college, Jimmy met a veteran Marine Colonel, who took a liking to him, and helped him proactively join the Marine Reserves. The draft and the Vietnam War were on going so you either made your own path, or it was chosen for you. (Side Note: Thank you Dad!) Jimmy graduated with his business degree and then was shipped off to Paris Island.

Jimmy ended up in California, for a stent during his service, where he got into a friendly fight and punched a hole in a door. As he would tell it, "He got licked," by one guy taking shots on his back, while the other held his arm on the other side. Despite this, Jimmy liked California, and had intentions to stay once he was out of the service. He went so far as to make arrangements with his high school buddy, Leon Williams, who lived in California, to come back and live with him until he could find a job. Jimmy completed his service, and returned home to Richmond in February of 1967.

Between February and July of 1967, Jimmy's plans were changed forever. With a little help from his friends, Sandy and George Montgomery, Jimmy reconnected with his high school sweetheart named, "Deanie." After a successful first date to see the movie Dr. Zhivago in his 1965 VW bug, it was over. Jimmy told his friend George, "I think I found the girl I want to marry, what should I do?." George said, "Ask her dumb-xxx." So, he did, without a ring of course. Jimmy explains later that, "he didn't know what color she wanted." As any sophisticated girl would do, she said, "I'll tell you tomorrow." On July 1st, 1967, just 5 months later, Jimmy and Deanie were married and left Second Branch Baptist Church, in his newly purchased red 1966 Mustang Convertible.

Jimmy and Deanie went on to raise four children, Dave, Melissa, Brendon, and Josh. He worked as a Quality Control Supervisor at ICI (now a part of Dupont), in Hopewell, Virginia, for 23 years and met many lifelong friends. Much of this time was on the 2nd and 3rd shift with young kids at home. Deanie, like a momma bear, protected Jimmy's sleep like a hawk. She knew how hard he worked. Although Jimmy easily settled into family life, he never lost the work hard, play hard mentality. Jimmy was famous (or infamous) for his "Hog Roasts" at their property, on Beach Road, with all his buddies from work. To make additional money he would chop wood on the weekends and take the kids. Daughter, Melissa, may or may not have fallen out of his 50's Ford Truck, when he made a hard left turn onto Woodale Road, with a full load. She survived, so don't tell Deanie. He began investing in rental properties in Petersburg and Hopewell. Jimmy worked tirelessly to rebuild, repair, and manage these homes with his older brother, Walter, which he did almost every weekend. He taught his boys how to fix most anything on these weekend outings to Petersburg, and if they did good, they would be rewarded with a "What-A-Burger." He also managed to run a couple ½ marathons somewhere in the middle of all this.

Even in retirement, Jimmy stayed busy. He was a member of the Crater Antique Car Club, Early V8 Ford Club, and Central Virginia Mustang Club. Jimmy and Herb would travel to countless car shows across the country over the years, and never came back without a great story. Like the time they got lost in downtown Detroit, pulling a 30-foot box trailer, and had to drive through the local folks having a barbecue in the middle of the street. They made it out. Jimmy rebuilt multiple Ford Mustangs over the years and finalized his own fleet with a 66 Mustang fastback, 51 Ford Business coupe, and a 50 Ford F1 pickup.

When not at a car show, a Virginia Tech Football game, or working on cars, Jimmy could be found in his "Man Cave." The carriage house from Wrexham Hall, now where Chesterfield Meadows sits, that he tore down and rebuilt on Beach Road in 1985. Complete with a wood stove, lazy boys, television, and infinite historic memorabilia. The Man Cave became a museum dedicated to the history of Beach, Virginia, the Clements family, and antique cars. No square inch was spared from display, and Jimmy could tell you a story about every piece. The Man Cave would host many "meetings" of the guys from High School and car club, catered by the box lunches from Ettrick Deli. Many a "Mister Senators" were also enjoyed in the Man Cave.

Deanie was the love of Jimmy's life, and they shared 58 years of marriage together. He built the house on Beach Road to match her Country Living Magazine Dream home design. He didn't love the ocean or sand, but he loved Deanie, so he made her dream come true with the beach house in Nags Head, "Deanie's Dream." They went to countless Virginia Tech Football games together, and took a trip on Route 66 in Lightening McQueen. He always did what he could to make sure "Sweet Pea" was safe and taken care of. Their love and dedication to one another was always on display and set an example for the rest of us, as to what a marriage should be.

Jimmy was a true southern gentleman, a great father, husband, and friend, and will be dearly missed.

Jimmy leaves a legacy of four children, David (Michael) Clements, Melissa (Barry) Brockwell, Brendon (Rebecca) Clements, and Josh (Amanda) Clements. He also has eleven grandchildren, Baileigh, Cole, Chandler, Barrett, Drew, Tanner, Dillion [Reed], Layne, Laela, Camryn, and Carrie. Jimmy is also survived by his wife, Deanie; brother, Charles (Gayle) Clements; sisters-in-law, Edith Clements and Kathy Smith; two lifelong faithful friends, Sandy Mick and Herb Hudson; as well as many nieces and nephews. Thank you to his special niece, Donna Spencer, for taking the time to provide Dad with the BEST vanilla milkshakes at Spring Arbor.

The family also wishes to thank Spring Arbor Memory Care and Suncrest Hospice for the care of our father and one special care giver, Tymeesha Baskerville. She went above and beyond for our Dad.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at 2:00 pm, with the service beginning at 3:00 pm, at Chester Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Second Branch Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Chester Baptist Church, 4317 School St, Chester, VA 23831.