Clarence Golden
Sept. 7, 1923~Feb. 14, 2016

Clarence Clay Golden, age 92, formerly of Valley Mills, Texas passed away in Clifton, Texas, on February 14, 2016.  A service celebrating his life will be 2 P.M. Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016, at the Valley Mills First Baptist Church under the direction of Foss Funeral Home & Cremation Center.   Interment will be in the Valley Mills Cemetery with military honors.

Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service at the First Baptist Church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Valley Mills or Lutheran Sunset Ministries, Clifton, Texas.

Clarence was born to John & Emma Golden on September 7, 1923, near Clifton, Texas.  He was a twin to Clarice Clyde Golden who died December 6, 1937.  He grew up in the Norse Community and attended school in Norse, Meridian, and Valley Mills.  At age 19, April 1943, Clarence entered the United States Army.  He served two and half years in England, Belgium and Germany as a Medic, treating causalities from Omaha Beach to the Battle of the Bulge.  In 1945, he returned to Valley Mills and married Frances L. Ballard on May 8, 1947.

Clarence was employed with Baylor University for over 35 years.  He was the Manager of Building and Grounds Maintenance.  He was a volunteer fireman for the Valley Mills Fire Department for  20 years and a member of the Valley Mills City Council for eight years.   He was a charter member of the Valley Mills Heritage Society for over 42 years.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church and served as trustee, deacon, Sunday School teacher and on various committees.  He made seven trips to Mexico and a trip to Idaho building churches and doing mission work.

Clarence loved traveling, camping, gardening, tinkering with old clocks, playing dominoes and cards.  He was an accomplished carpenter, having built his home before he and Frances married.   After a major stroke at the age of 70, Clarence readjusted with his one good arm and leg and continued his carpentry skills building over 1,000 bird houses of all different styles that many family and friends still enjoys.

Clarence is survived by his wife, Frances of 68 years, daughter Glenda Golden Bragg and husband Gilbert of Austin, Texas; daughter Janet Golden Dickens and husband Robert of Detroit, Texas; three  grandsons:  Travis Bragg and wife Lytza of Round Rock, Terry Dickens, of San Francisco, CA, Lucas Dickens of Detroit, Texas;  great grandson Braxton Bragg; youngest brother: Felix Golden and wife Betty.   He was preceded in death by five sister and two brothers.  He will be greatly missed by many nephews, nieces, cousins, and a host of friends.

In his words "The Lord has been good to me supplying the necessities of a good life.  I have worked hard and have never been unemployed".  "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course.  I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7

The family would like to express sincere appreciation to Lutheran Sunset Ministries, Clifton, Texas, for their compassionate care and dedication.