Clayton Sporre

July 24, 2011

TRAVERSE CITY — Clayton Sporre, 92, of Traverse City passed away Sunday, July 24, 2011.Clate was born Aug. 14, 1918, in Benton Harbor, to the late Clause and Myrtle (Bartlett) Sporre.Clate was a wonderful hockey player. He was an avid skater. Clate was a member of the Penguin Hockey Team that won the State Championships in 1939. He was fearless as a young man and loved to create a sail out of bed sheets and skate across Boardman Lake during the cold winter months. Clate was also an avid sportsman, having played high school football. Throughout his life, he enjoyed playing golf.After graduating from Traverse City High School in 1936, he began working at the Park Place Hotel. His talent as a chef became evident immediately. He worked there until the start of World War II, when he answered the call of our nation and joined the United States Navy. He served as a head gunner on a sub-chaser and was later sent to rocket school, where he served on a LSMR Rocket Ship. After three years of faithful service, he was honorably discharged. He returned home to Traverse City, a place that he loved very dearly.In 1942, he married Joanne Love, who preceded him in death in 1994.Clate was an independent man who ran several successful restaurants. He owned and operated Pat's Grill, Sporre's Restaurant on State Street, and later Sporre's Steak House. After selling Sporre's, he managed the food service department for Ranch Rudolph, Interlochen Golf Club and finally the Elks Club.A champion for children, Clate fought for children to have a free place to skate in the winter. He always made a skating rink in his back yard for his children, and even for his neighbors after his children moved away.He loved to write poetry, had a wonderful sense of humor and was an amateur historian.Clate was a member of the American Legion and the VFW.He was preceded in death by his wife, Joanne; his daughter, Nancy; his brothers, Ronald, Orville, and Leonard; and his sister, Elaine Brakel.Clate is survived by his daughters, Susan Sporre and Chris Rutila, both of Traverse City; grandchildren, Rodney Cozert, Joseph Cozert, Matthew Zezulka, Anne Schwartz, Erik Overbeek and Heidi Overbeek; 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.Visitation for friends and family will be held Thursday, July 28, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.The funeral service for Clate will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 29, at First Congregational Church. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery where Clayton will receive military honors from the VFW Cherryland Post #2780.Memorial contributions in Clate's honor may be directed to the First Congregational Church.Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your thoughts and memories with his family.The family is being served by Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home.