Paul William Clem

Paul William Clem
Funeral services for Paul William Clem, 75, who passed away in Stevenage, England on 01 December 2022 were held on 29 December 2022 at Harwood Park Crematorium Chapel in Stevenage.
Paul was born 18 July 1947 at Creston, Iowa to Earl and Evelyn Minnick Clem.
He grew up on farms in Union and Adams County Iowa, attending a rural one room school through second grade when the family moved into Lenox. Paul graduated from Lenox High School in 1965. During his high school years, he lettered in Football and Track and Chorial Music. Shortly after graduation, he enrolled in Computer Technology School in Kansas City, Missouri receiving a certification of completion in January 1966 and enlisted in the Navy the following month. Following basic training in San Diego, California, he completed a two- year tour on the staff of Rear Admiral W. H. Groverman, Commander of the Western Sea front as an EAM, computer operator and programmer in the Operation Control Center division, Naval Station Treasure Island, San Francisco, California. He was transferred to the Naval Security Group Activity at the Naval Support Facility, Kamiseya, Japan. In 1970, Paul reenlisted and was assigned to the United States Naval Forces European Headquarters, London, England.
Paul was married to Patricia Furlong in St Francis of Assisi Church, London, England on 06 May 1972. They became the parents for four children, Samantha born in London, Sean born in Des Moines, IA, Andrew born in Sheboygan, WI, and James born in London. Following his discharge from the Navy in 1974, they returned to the states. In November 1978, they returned to London to prepare for the relocation to Iran, where Paul had a job. Unfortunately, within a few weeks of Paul being in Tehran he was promptly evacuated due to the Iranian Revolution that began. Returning to England, he worked at various Software Companies before joining Ocado Group as the Health and Safety Officer. He spent the next several years working for them, reluctantly retiring in June of 2021.
Paul was unique, kind, caring, generous and a selfless man, if he could help you, he would.
He had a dry sense of humor and enjoyed a bit of banter. He enjoyed slapstick comedy. A sociable man, he loved to talk, he seemed to have a story for every occasion., many of them long ones. He was a good listener and would offer wise advice if you went to him with a problem. He could be a bit stubborn at times. He was strong-willed and liked to do things his way. He would say what he thought. Underneath, he had a private nature and would talk little about himself, his emotions or how he was feeling. He believed that his family was his greatest achievement in life.
Paul enjoyed outdoor activities. While stationed at Treasure Island, he took up skydiving. He loved football. He was Captain of the Naval Football team while stationed in Japan. During his service in England, he played on the Naval Rugby Team. He was a big Green Bay Packer fan and in England he supported Chelsea. All of his sons play football. He became involved in Youth football in various roles with Fairlands Youth, including Treasurer, Secretary, Manager of Under 8’s all the way to the Under 16’s. He became Chairman of Royston Crow Youth Football League for a number of years. When he finally stepped down, he was made Honorary President. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren play the game.
Paul loved his gardens in later life, had three of them. The house was always full of seedlings on any available windowsill. Chilies drying in the kitchen. The postman would often joke with Tricia, with the amount seeds, plants and other gardening paraphernalia being delivered on a regular basis, Paul would have enough produce to feed the neighborhood. He enjoyed cooking, especially barbecues.
Paul is survived by his wife Tricia, daughter Samantha, and sons Sean (Lisa), Andrew (Michelle) and James (Charlotte); eight grandchildren, George, Isabelle, Jessie, Phoebe, James, Nicole, Aidin and Matthew all of England; his sister, Saundra Clem Leininger, Corning; his brother Edwin (Pam Hobbs) Clem, Ames; nephews, Timothy (Ruth) Leininger and Sarah, Omaha; Christopher (Lisa Troiani) Leininger and Troy, Beaver, PA; Michele Leininger, Marshall, MN; Jennifer (Michael) Erickson, Massena and Nicole (Austin) Hayes and son Aiden, Port Huron, MI; Natasha Erickson, Port Huron, MI and Colton Erickson, Massena. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother-in-law, Jerry Leininger, and a nephew, Cody Olsen. Memorials in Paul’s name may be made to the Earl, Evelyn, Paul Clem Scholarship Fund through the Lenox Community Trust, 119 North Main Street, Lenox, Iowa 50851.