Clyde Ewing

Traverse City - Clyde Ewing, 93, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2014. Clyde Ewing was born on May 22, 1921 to the late Clyde Rodney and Frances (Miller) Ewing, in the little town of Tustin Michigan. Clyde grew up knowing the value of service and family. His father was killed in an accident when Clyde was two and his little sister was three days old. He was raised by his mother who worked many jobs to support her family.

Dad was a great athlete, playing football, hockey and baseball at Cadillac High School, where he met Betty Corcoran, whom he married on January 15, 1949.

During World War II Clyde served his country in the Army Air Corps - from North Africa to "flying the hump" in China as part of the Flying Tigers. One of his prized possessions was a squadron ring commissioned by Heisman Trophy winner Tom Harmon.

After returning from the war, Clyde married Betty and was prompted by her to attend Michigan State (College) University, where he majored in Fisheries Biology. His service continued after graduation where he worked for the Social Security Administration until his retirement in 1981.

His natural resources background was part of his life - whether fly fishing a favorite stretch of the Boardman or taking his kids on a weeks-long camping adventure to Canada or the northern U.S.

In 1967 he moved his family to Traverse City and in his later years reflected it was the best move he ever made. In retirement Dad worked as a page in the Sight and Sound Department at the Traverse Area District Library until he was 86. He considered his library co-workers a second family and loved the daily hugs he shared.

Clyde leaves behind three children and their spouses: Barney and Kitty (Franklin), Becky and Bob (Eichenlaub), Kevin and Stacy (Grill) and six grandchildren: Kyle, Brynne, Michael and Heather Ewing and Duncan and Izzy Cooper.

He was preceded in death by Betty in 1989, an infant brother Rodney Gordon, and a sister, Mary Alice Philo.

The family would like to thank the caring staff at Boardman Lake Glens, where Dad felt at home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Boardman River Nature Center/ Grand Traverse Conservation District, 1450 Cass Rd. Traverse City, MI., 49684 or Operation Smile.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00pm on Sat. September 13, 2014 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Clyde's family by visiting www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com

Arrangements for the family have been entrusted to Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.