Vail Clemence

Gerald “Vail” Clemence died peacefully at home on Wednesday morning February 8, 2017 at 1:48am in Bowie, Maryland surrounded by his 6 children, a granddaughter and his loving wife of 66 years, Barbara.Vail was born to Gerald Maurice and Edith (Vail) Clemence on June 30, 1931 in Brockway, New Brunswick, Canada and held joint citizenship in the United States and Canada as his parents were U.S. citizens living in Washington, D.C.. He was born in Canada because the extreme heat that summer in Washington D.C., and lack of air conditioning at that time, made his grandmother's house in Brockway a much more pleasant place for his mother during his birth.  He graduated from Western High School in Washington D.C. and attended Brown University in Rhode Island. Vail and Barabara Caroline Wight of Johnston, Rhode Island had known each other from early childhood and were married as 19 year old sweethearts on July 1, 1950 in Johnston, Rhode Island. Vail joined the Army in 1952. He recieved Ranger training and served in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1954.  Vail had a long career in computer technology, serving as a Systems Manager for Honeywell, Inc.. He was at the top of his field until his retirement in 1992. Vail also completed stints as Technical Manager for the City of Newport News, Va. and owned and operated a motorcycle shop, Clemence Cycle Center, while living in Newport News. Vail and Barbara have been very active in their communities of Manassas, Va., Newport News, Va., and for the last 39 years in Bowie, Md. They have encouraged and participated in a diverse and far reaching number of activities with their children and grandchildren, always promoting love, cooperation and hard work. Vail and Barbara have always led by example with tireless work, enthusiasm and commitment to the organizations to which they belonged over the years.Vail and Barbara belonged to the Bowie Square Cats and loved Square Dancing and Country Round Dancing.  They also were long time members, and in later years, ran Fish of Bowie, a volunteer organization providing rides for the elderly and those in need.  Barbara continues that work.  Vail had a lifelong love of Baseball.  He played and managed the Bowie Gold Senior softball team who won both the league championship and tournament championship this past summer.  He and Barbara participated in the Senior Olympics for many years, he as a softball player and Barbara in table tennis.Vail was an avid reader and had a love of the railroad and the civil war, among many other interests.  He was a huge Stephen King fan and eventually wrote his own book titled "Woodchucks and Humans" which was published in 2016.  Vail was a dedicated and loving husband and a shining example of fatherhood, as well as an exemplary model of citizenship for all to follow. His wife Barbara and his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are grateful to those who have touched his life.He is survived by: his wife Barbara C. Clemence of Bowie, Md; his 6 children: Bruce W. Clemence, wife Kathy of Hampton,Va. and son Adam, Deborah M. Smith, husband Robert and son Alexander of Vero Beach, Fla., Richard V. Clemence of Kitty Hawk, NC., Kenneth E.A. Clemence and wife Sue of Boiling Springs, Pa. and her children Cody and Samantha, Philip L. Clemence of Bowie, Md., and Lorann R. (Crawford) Pounds and husband Danny of Rockville, Md. and her children: Rachel, Mark, Paul, Melanie, Douglas, Gregory, and Thomas; as well as 4 great-grandchildren: Auralynn, Isabella, Violet and Brooklyn.Please see below for information on the Memorial gathering at the funeral home. At this time we do not have specifics to provide regarding a formal Memorial Service to be conducted in the spring. We will provide that information, as well as more about his life and legacy, as we continue to absorb this loss and the memories and stories unfold.In loving memory of G. Vail Clemence, on his behalf, Thank you all.