Life Story

Information from Journal Review, when Bob was named to the Silver Anniversary Team.

Robert J. (Clem) Clements, former Crawfordsville High School basketball star, has been named to the Silver Anniversary All-Star High School Basketball Team.

Clements, a 1942 graduate of CHS....was employed by R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co., as a pressman.

Outstanding high school basketball players who graduated from high school 25 years ago this year and who since "have been men of good character" are eligible for nomination for the honor, which is sponsored by Lions Clubs of Indiana.

Clements, although small in physical stature - 5-foot-6 and 135 pounds, was a member of CHS varsity for three years.  In 1942, the Athenian team went to the state finals before losing to Muncie Burris, 42-27, in the semifinals.  Clements, a guard, was named to the Indianapolis Star's All-State Team that year.

In 1941, CHS also played in the semifinals, losing to eventual state runnerup Madison, 45-43.  Clements, who was coached by Charles L. (Charlie Cummings, also played on U.S. Navy basketball teams for three years and played independent ball for Donnelley's for two years.

This is the information Bob submitted when he was inducted into the Crawfordsville High School Athletic Hall of Fame, February 2000.

Shortly after graduating from Crawfordsville High School in 1942, Bob joined the U.S. Navy, going to Submarine School, (Richmond, Virginia), first.  He was on the U.S. Alcoa, the Florida, and the Mossapelious. He also attended the G.M. Diesel school, (Cleveland, Ohio), and the Fairbanks Morris and Buhda Engine School (Miami, Florida).  He was stationed at San Salvadore, Bahia, in Brazil, South America.  Bob was overseas 27 months, and spent a total of 3 years and 10 minutes in the Navy.

He married Marjorie J. Stockdale in 1947, and they had three children:  Jim, Fred, and Cathy; six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. After Bob's death, 4 more great-grandchildren were added to the family.

Bob worked at Donnelleys as a pressman for 31years, retiring in 1973. He played on the Donnelleys basketball team several years.

In 1967, Bob was elected as a member of the Silver Anniversary Team and to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.

His parents, Harold and Mary Clements, had property in Grayling, Michigan on Lake Margrethe, with cabins and trailers to rent, and the family spent time there every summer, since 1948.  There were several canoe liveries there, and Bob and Marge started Clements Canoes in Crawfordsville, Indiana, in 1960, with four canoes. They operated it for several years from their home, before locating it on Sugar Creek off Waynetown Rd., and also at Deers Mill.  They sold the business in 1981 and had 300 rental canoes and 60 new canoes, and were retired after that.  They continued to operate the summer resort in Grayling from 1972 to 1987, and still spent a part of their summers there, until 2000.

Bob had spent time fly fishing for trout in Grayling, Michigan, on the Au Sable and Manistee Rivers.  He   also fished on Lake Michigan, Raccoon Lake, and on Mark Twain Lake in Missouri.  He took many trips to South Dakota for pheasant hunting, and had also enjoyed quail hunting here in Indiana with bird dogs.

He enjoy following IU basketball, the Pacers, and college basketball, and following his grandkids sports activities.   He was devoted to his wife, Marjorie, and to his family and friends.  

Marjorie Clements, written by Cathy Clements

Mom was a mother to everyone. Countless friends would share their fears and aspirations with her. She was a great listener and advisor. Her heart was loving and never ever judgmental.

Once you became one of Mom's family, you were on the "worry list". Her usual way of saying good bye was "Be careful." If she forgot to say that, you could be sure you would get another phone call.

She loved her children so much. Mom was not one to be overly interested in tiny babies. Being an only child, she maybe didn't have much experience with them. I asked her, then, why she chose to have children. She said, "There is nothing in the world like having your own." She loved us all for our uniqueness and was so proud to be our Mom. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She laughed at their stories and pridefully observed their accomplishments. She loved their ambition. She would tell how Josh, Korbin and Jared said that they wanted to be doctors so that they could cure her. They said "Grandma, I'll make you walk again."

Our family was extended from our parents; we learned that family was not necessarily connected by blood, but by heart. Many of you enjoyed the great affection, love and generosity of Marge & Bob. Everyone was made to feel special. Their fun-loving spirit made all events light-hearted and joyful. Good-natured card games and competitions usually made Daddy (Bob) grumpy, while Mom (Marge) silently won game after game.

Our mother was so noble, spending more than 50 years of her life in a wheelchair. She wanted to be a part of each moment of our lives. When society was not advanced, she would allow herself to be carted up and down stairs or even carried into a room. Her patience was abounding. She never made issue of the obstacles. She was so inspiring and would be the first to reach out to those who hurt. We were lucky to have a mother who was such a hero to so many. I told her I was so lucky to have her in my life, being my day-to-day example, whereas others only knew her. We were truly blessed.

She loved her Bob. Daddy was the love of her life. She knew he was chosen for her by God to endure her struggle with polio. She loved his steadiness, his innovative spirit and positive energy. He brought humor to the shy little farm girl.

He was magnetic and took her along for the ride. And she loved that ride. She would go anywhere with him, fishing, boating, and traveling. Together they build their business. He said that he did it partly to keep her busy. She was a great bookkeeper and loved working with the public.

Spragg Family

Here is a small part of the Spragg tree going back to the pirate Jan Janzoon. 

Cathy has an extensive tree made from multiple sources going back hundreds of years in multiple branches. 

Jan Janszoon 1570-1641 

Anthony Jansen von Sale 1610-1676

Annica Jansen 1633-1698

John Southard 1663-1735

Phebe Southard 1705-?

James Spragg Sr 1738-?

James Spragg Jr 1775-?

Charles Sprag 1795-?

John Milligan Spragg 1852-1938

William Everett Spragg 1873-1975

Estle Mae Spragg 1902-1982

Marjorie Jean Stockdale 1924-2008