Clemon Crain

Clemon Coolidge "Coolie" Crain, 93, of Cape Girardeau passed away Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016, at the Lutheran Home.

He was born Aug. 5, 1923, on a farm near Oak Ridge to Ellis O. and Irene Hopkins Crain. Coolie and Naomi Hahs were married Nov. 9, 1943, in Oak Ridge.

He was drafted into the Army on Jan. 11, 1943. He was in the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, D Company, 3rd Platoon, 82nd Air Bourne Division, and received the following awards: Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct, Presidential Unit Emblem (European Theater of Operations), European Campaign Medal with four bronze stars (Normandy, Central Europe, Ardennes and Rhineland), two Invasion arrow heads (Normandy and Holland), World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal with German Clasp, Combat Infantryman Badge, French Fourragere, Belgian Fourragere, Netherlands Orange Lanyard, Honorable Service Lapel Button World War II and Parachute Wings with two combat stars in wings.

He was a member of Veterans of Foreign War Post 3838, the American Legion, Excelsior Lodge 441 AF&AM and was a Moolah Shriner.

He retired from Shell Oil Co. on May 1, 1983, with more than 30 years of service. He worked for the city of Jackson for seven years and was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church. Coolie loved spending time with his family and friends and will be dearly missed.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 73 years, Naomi Crain of Cape Girardeau; daughter, Carolyn Crain of Cape Girardeau; special cousin, Julie (the Rev. Richard) Combs of Jackson; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Carlton Crain; and a son, Vaughn Crain.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until noon Saturday at Ford and Sons Funeral Home-Jackson.

The funeral service will be at noon Saturday at the funeral home, with the Revs. Dave Conley and Richard Combs officiating and American Legion and Masonic services. Burial will be at Cape County Memorial Park cemetery with military honors.

Memorial donations may be given to Centenary United Methodist Church or a charity of choice.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.