Clyde Everett Almond, 72, took his journey to heaven on Oct. 4, 2008, from his home in Sherman. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, at First Baptist Church, Sherman. Services will be conducted by Dr. Alan Quigley, evangelism director of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma; Rev. Rodney Standford, retired Baptist minister; and Dr. Eddy Johnson, pastor of Grayson Bible Baptist Church of Sherman. Waldo Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.
Pallbearers will be Ryan Sharp, Casey Hayes, Nick Owens, Larry Presley, Dr. Bob Burlingame, Terry Jones, David Ellis, and Kenneth Franklin. Clyde's hunting buddies will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Clyde was born Oct. 29, 1935, in Dawson, where his parents, James Leroy Almond and Mattie Latham Almond, had moved from Tishomingo, Oklahoma. He graduated from Dawson High School and was active in Future Farmers of America, athletics, and annual staff.
Betty Bruce, Clyde's high school sweetheart, and Clyde married on June 9, 1957, in Dawson. They originally made their home in Dallas, where Clyde was employed by Texas Instruments. When he transferred to the Sherman operation, they moved to Whitewright where they raised their three girls.
Clyde had a full career as a machinist, toolmaker, engineer, and business owner and entrepreneur. After working for TI for 17 years, Clyde and John Floyd, also from TI and Whitewright, established a partnership and their own business, A&F Custom Manufacturing Company in Trenton in 1977. The company was dedicated to God, and both families promised God that if the business prospered, then God's kingdom would benefit. The company grew rapidly. Originally the company made metal molds for the plastic industry; however, a plastic injection molding operation was added within two years. A second operation was begun in Batesville, Ark., to accommodate the growing customer base there. In 1994, Clyde sold his half of the business to his partner and retired. In retirement, Clyde enjoyed real estate ventures and ranching.
A member of First Baptist Church at the time of his death, Clyde had previously been a member of Bethel Baptist Church and First Baptist Church in Whitewright for 30 years. He had also been a member of Georgetown Baptist Church in Pottsboro. Wherever his membership, Clyde was a faithful member and contributor. He had taught junior high boys and served as a trustee and committee chair in Whitewright.
Clyde has left a living legacy for his family and all who knew him. He was a high achiever with drive, strong will, and determination, always striving for perfection. He served on the board of First National Bank, Whitewright and was a strong supporter of United Way and school and community projects, both in his personal and professional life.
Clyde was a self-effacing man, preferring to think of others before himself. He was reserved, humble, and soft-spoken, but when he spoke, he spoke as a straight shooter and with wisdom. He lived his life in such a way as to have no regrets. He did not conform to the world, seeking pleasure and fame, but rather sought to live by God's principles, putting God first, family second, and community and friends third. May others follow his example.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved the outdoors and God's beautiful country. In the year that he retired, he hunted in Colorado, Kansas, the Texas Panhandle, South Texas, Mexico and Canada. He and Betty loved fishing and had made several trips to Florida, Arkansas, and Alaska. Clyde also made several fishing trips to Cabo San Lucas. Deer hunting was his passion, but he also hunted sheep, antelope, bear, and elk. In his younger years, he did a lot of duck and bird hunting. Clyde also enjoyed playing cards and dominoes with family and friends.
Clyde is survived by his wife of 51 years, Betty; daughters, Janet and husband, Rev. Phillip Smith of Denison; their children, Rev. Chad Everett Smith and wife Tara; twins Ashley Smith and fiance Nick Owens, Amber Smith and fiance Ryan Sharp; Kimberly Almond of Sherman and her daughter Amy and husband Casey Hayes; and Cindy and husband Martin Nair of McKinney, and their children Brittany and Sarah Jones, Hannah, Olivia, Vivian, and Adam Clyde Nair. He is also survived by a brother, Charlie Almond of Carrollton;sisters, Leona Wheeler of Midlothian and Wanda Derden of Dallas; nephew Cleon Almond to whom Clyde was especially close; and a host of additional family members and friends.
Clyde was preceded in death by his mother and father and brothers Alton, Merle, Alfred, Leroy, James, and Bobby and sisters Lometa and Letha.
The family will receive friends from 6 -8 p.m. Tuesday at Waldo Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the Grayson Bible Baptist Church Family Life Center building program or the donor's charity of choice.