Larry Gene Clinkenbeard

An incredibly loving husband, father, “Papa”, son, brother, retired pastor and friend, Larry Gene Clinkenbeard, age 65 of Spring Hill, Tennessee, passed away Saturday September 6, 2014 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He had recently confronted Leukemia and his courageous fight was underway. Larry was born April 1, 1949 to Mary Lou Clinkenbeard Alexander and the late Eugene Clinkenbeard in Bourbon County, Kentucky. Larry was a graduate of Nicholas County High, Class of 1967, and also participated in the Kentucky All-State Band and Chorus during high school. He held a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Bible, which he earned from the Cincinnati Bible Seminary in 1972. In that same year on July 7, he married the love of his life, Melicent Kaye Sugg Clinkenbeard.

Larry’s motivation in life was serving the Lord as a pastor which he did for thirty years. His dream started at Little Rock Christian Church in Paris, Kentucky. In Columbus, Indiana he served as the youth minister at East Columbus Christian Church. He then became the senior pastor at First Christian Church in North Vernon, Indiana. In 1984, Larry and his family moved to Columbia, Tennessee where he served as the senior pastor at Central Christian Church. His dream came true in 1990, when he became the founding pastor at New Life Christian Church. After his retirement, Larry attended Thompson Station Church. He worked at Polk Memorial Gardens training the Doves for their release at graveside services, which was a job he loved. Recently, he worked as a greeter at the Walmart of Spring Hill, a job he also loved as he was able to meet and mingle with many customers.

Larry was very active in his family. He spent many hours coaching Christy’s fast pitch softball team, and cheering Kara on from the stands at her soccer games. He was their biggest fan and often wondered how he raised such outstanding ladies; his love for his daughters was unmatched. It was his “girls” who gave him the biggest joys and laughter of his life- Carson, Avery and Owen. He spent many days chasing those small boys around playgrounds or play trips at McDonalds. Two weeks ago the family spent the entire week in Destin, Florida where they have fond memories of their husband, father, and Papa being the happiest he had ever been.

Larry is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Melicent Kaye Sugg Clinkenbeard of Spring Hill; daughters, Christy (Andy) Bendix of Lexington, Kentucky and Kara (Brendan) Boles of Franklin, Tennessee; grandsons, Carson Henry Bendix, Avery Dallas Boles and Owen Edward Boles; mother and stepfather, Mary Lou and Stanley Alexander; sister, Linda (Earl) Riley; mother-in-law, Marvine Sugg; sister-in-law, Alicia (Rick) Graham; nephews, William Graham, Jonathan Graham, Andy Richardson; and one niece, Emily Foster.

The family will visit with friends on Sunday, September 7, 2014 at Williams Funeral Home in Columbia from 4:00-8:00 p.m. as well as one hour prior to service time. A celebration of his life will be conducted September 8, 2014 at 2:00 p.m., also at Williams Funeral Home in Columbia with Mike Pfieffer, Bill Junell, and Pastor Duane Murray officiating. Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Rick Graham, William Graham, Jonathan Graham, Brendan Boles, Andy Bendix, and Earl J. Riley, Jr. Honorary Pallbearers will be employees and staff at Wal-Mart in Spring Hill, The Williams Funeral Home family, and Cremation Society of Tennessee family.

The Family would like to extend a special thanks to the CICU doctors and nurses at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Williams Funeral Home in Columbia is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.williamsfh.com .