Clarence D. Bonner

Clarence Bonner, 90, of Eureka, Texas went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, September 7, 2013 in Corsicana, Texas. He was born on the farm in Angus, Texas on November 13, 1922 to the late Dee Lover Bonner and Hestellar Cox Bonner. He attended school in Angus until he was needed on the family farm at the beginning of World War II after his two older brothers joined the war effort. Clarence also entered the Army during World War II in 1944 and served in the European Theater. He served in Germany, France, Holland and Czechoslovakia. After Germany surrendered in 1945, he continued to serve in Europe as part of the post-war occupational forces until 1946. Clarence was honorably discharged from the Army in 1946, but continued to serve in the Army Reserves for a number of years after returning to farm in the Angus area. Clarence married Ora Lee Bentley on July 7, 1948, and they made there home in Angus and then Eureka for the past 52 years. They enjoyed 64 years of marriage before she passed away in June of this year. Clarence loved farming but was also very mechanically talented, and began a career as a sewing machine mechanic at the Hat Factory in Corsicana. After working there for several years he also worked at the Haggar Slacks Factory in Corsicana. Clarence raised cattle and maintained a huge garden even while working as a mechanic. He enjoyed growing large and wonderful tasting tomatoes, and other vegetables which he enjoyed sharing with his church family and selling on the roadside next to his house. Clarence had regular customers from a wide area of Texas who just happened upon his little produce stand and son became hooked because of the quality of his fresh vegetables (and his family thinks because of his easy country charm). Clarence made the all important decision to give his life to Jesus at an early age. For the past 34 years he had been a member of First Baptist Church in Corsicana. He is preceded in death by his wife Ora Lee, and son Larry Gene Bonner as well as his parents, one sister Ethelyn Stokes, brother and sister-in-law Lawrence Bonner and wife Martha, and brother Freddy Bonner. Also sisters-in-law Etha Hand and Norma Thomason, and brothers-in-law Hubert Bentley, James Thomason and Jack Bartholomew. He is survived by daughter Bonnie McNeeley and husband Bobby of Eureka, grandson Terry McNeeley and wife Marie of McKinney, granddaughter Regina Rogers and husband William of Mexia. Clarence is also survived by great granddaughters Alex Garcia of Mexia and Chloe McNeeley of McKinney, sister Lorene McBride and husband Mac (W.E.), and sisrer-in-law Doris Bonner all of Corsicana, and brother-in-law Cliff Thomason of Palastine as well as several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Monday evening, September 9, 2013 from 6 - 8pm at Griffin - Roughton Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Tuesday morning, September 10, 2013 at 10am in the Chapel at Griffin - Roughton Funeral Home with Dr. Danny Reeves officiating. Military Honors will be performed at the funeral home as there will not be a graveside service. Interment will be at Hamilton - Beeman Cemetery.

Clarence D. Bonner

November 13, 1922 - September 7, 2013