Clyde Tracy - Rest In Peace

I recently received some very sad news from Robin Tracy-Hall, the loving daughter of one of our Jason shipmates and a very good friend to many of us. The news was that Clyde Tracy has passed away one week shy of reaching the age of 85. Most of us Jason sailors knew that Clyde had the distinct honor of being a Jason plank owner who proudly served aboard her for three years as a Storekeeper. Clyde had helped me out many times over the last ten years that I've had the privilege and honor of knowing him. I shall forever be grateful for his friendship and I shall never forget him.

Rest in eternal peace, good friend and shipmate, rest in eternal peace.

 

Here is a short bio and tribute to Clyde as written by his loving daughter, Robin Tracy-Hall.

 

Clyde Franklin Tracy was born in Luckey, Ohio on October 03, 1925 to Minnie Byers-Roper and Floyd Wesley Tracy. He is the third born of six children. Clyde grew up in the small town of Luckey, Ohio. He played Varsity Basketball and Football at school. His graduating class consisted of eleven students! He was the last of his class to depart this Earth.

Clyde worked hard as a young man and when WWII struck he was still in school. As soon as he graduated in 1943 he joined the Navy. Clyde was sent to California to await the launch of a new ship, the USS JASON on which he would become a cherished PLANK OWNER. The Jason was a Repair ship going out to the South Pacific to repair war torn ships at sea. Clyde would be the storekeeper from the launch date til 1947 when he was discharged from the Navy. He would later serve in the Navy again during the Korean War.

Clyde married in 1948. He and his wife, Muriel celebrated their 63rd Wedding Anniversary this past August 29, 2010. Through this union 6 children, 20 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild have been brought into this world as of this date.

As the years rolled by Clyde always watched for the Jason to have open house in which he could take his children to see his ship. This finally happened and his kids were thrilled to explore the Jason.

Clyde organized two Las Vegas Reunions for the USS Jason. He had a wonderful experience to be able to meet so many shipmates...those who served with him and after him.

Clyde was privileged to attend the decommissioning of the USS Jason in 1995 with his children and grandchildren. He has always kept in touch with those sailors serving on the Jason. He published the newsletter the "Mightly J" and for whatever reason he was compeled to complete his newsletters, including putting them in envelopes and stamping them through April 2011. His family will continue to mail these out.

On September 11, 2010, Clyde was once again privileged to be able to attend an "HONOR FLIGHT" to Washington DC to visit the WWII Memorial. The day was long, but he had a smile on his face when he left from the Huntsville, AL airport at 6am. Then at 9:30pm when he arrived back, the smile was even broader! The send off and reception for those veterans was beyond words. Clyde would speak of this experience to all for the next 17 days.

On September 22, 2010 Clyde suffered a mind heart attack and later that night suffered a major heart attack. The next day Clyde had a quadruple bypass which he came through with flying colors! But a few days later, his body gave up the fight and Clyde passed from this world into the next on September 28, 2010.

Clyde is survived by his wife of 63 yrs, Muriel Taylor-Tracy of Sarah , MS. This children Clyde Jr. of Costa Mesa, CA, Muriel Tracy-Campbell of Fontana, CA, Robin Tracy-Hall of Senatobia, MS, Jim Tracy of Pahrump, NV, Max Tracy of Pauls Valley, OK and Mitchell Tracy of Las Vegas, NV, one younger brother, Marion Tracy of Bowling Green, Ohio, and 20 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild!

For those wishing to contact Clyde's family or have any questions please contact Clyde's daughter, Robin Tracy-Hall at rtracyhall@yahoo.com or you may call her at 662-560-9667. Ships store will be open until the last day in April 2011. All payments are to be made out to Muriel Tracy. After that date the newsletter will be retired and the ships store closed.

 

Here are a couple of great photos of Clyde to help us all to remember him.