Everyone was so excited when Clint came into our lives that beautiful day in May. While we were at the hospital the day he was born, back home the contractor began work on our new home. (Now every time the subject comes up about how long we have lived in this house, we think of Clint.  Some days it seems all thoughts lead back to Clint.) We were a young family with many hopes and dreams. Clint was a delightful child and made our family of four complete. He was this adorable bundle of  joy and love who was very affectionate and loved to cuddle.

Clint's older brother, Blake, told every visitor, "He is our baby and you can't  take him with you."  That was the beginning of a brotherly love that continued throughout their lives. This was a precious time in our lives!

Many years ago while on vacation Clint's love for fishing began. At the beach he could spend hours walking along the waters edge catching small fish in his net. The fish were released for another day. Once he came across a baby hammerhead shark at the shoreline. That was an exciting day for a little boy!

We still get a laugh out of the time we were fishing from a pier, and Clint made it a fishing competition with Nanny. He tried to keep up with every fish she caught so he could make sure he caught at least one more. The conditions were right and they both caught many fish that day. 

Clint's love for fishing continued, and a love for other sports grew. He was a team player and  loved the years he played on the school basketball team. What he lacked in skill, he seemed to make up with enthusiasm. He seemed to be able to lift the spirits of his teammates whenever he went into the game.

During those elementary school years, Clint also played baseball. He found pleasure in everything connected to sports; playing, watching, and collecting cards.

Once we traveled to Chicago so both guys could attend a baseball game between their favorite teams and see a few of their favorite players. We also visited Shedd Aquarium and rode the "L" train. He later turned this experience into an award winning social studies project.

It seemed sports were always on his mind. When Clint was young, he would practice signing his name in hopes of one day being a famous baseball player that would be asked to autograph baseball cards. Perhaps now he will be the angel in the outfield.

We have the memories of many family activities to hold in our hearts, but they will never be a substitute for having him here with us. 

Clint enjoyed life and so many things in it: board games, video games, miniature golf as well as white water rafting.

He also found joy in collecting items. Over the years he collected Pez dispensers and he had a sizable collection of them. We learned the hard way they can be like dominoes lined up; when one fell, they would all fall. (All these memories and more we hold in our hearts.)

After high school, Clint signed up to attend a community college. In the meantime he worked with his father at an engineering company. He considered his father his best friend.

Clint spent his time like most young people: listening to  music, playing video games, looking at cars, spending time with his girlfriend, talking on the phone and shopping vintage T-shirts. He and his brother enjoyed watching various shows together, such as: Cops, and Orange County Choppers. They also enjoyed cutting up and just being brothers in general. 

Clint also put his time and money into making custom changes to his car. He had numerous other interests.  He loved going to the zoo and Dollywood. He loved spending time with friends.  Clint discussed obtaining a membership at the local gym.

He enjoyed attending UT football, and baseball games. He liked a variety of sports and teams.  Some of his favorites were Auburn, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Chicago White Sox. 

"Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." (Psalm 139:16)

We were blessed to have shared a wonderful childhood with Clint and to have had 20 years together. But, our beloved son and brother left us too soon. We miss his big hugs and bright smiles so much.  We miss his singing, his whistling, his laughs, and the smell of his favorite cologne. We also miss the joyous moments he brought to the family.

We still look for him to come walking through the door,  instead he walks through our hearts. One always knew when Clint was in the room. We knew when he was anywhere in the house. We miss the way he filled a room and filled the house. Edna St. Vincent Millay wrote, "The presence of that absence is everywhere."

 
Clint always had a tender heart and generous nature. He had been encouraging a dear and special friend to make contact with estranged family members. He always seemed to have encouraging words to offer to others. One of his favorite movies was Pay It Forward. In his honor we hope to pay forward acts of kindness.

-Eileen Elias Freeman,
"The Angels' Little Instruction Book"

This page is intended to introduce you to Clint and to give you a hint of the son and brother we all knew and loved. To learn more about his struggles and death, read the section labeled medical information listed under the legacy section.

"To meet and to part is the story of life, and to part and meet is the glory of life."

"What is Life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night."

-- Crowfoot, Blackfoot warrior and orator, 1890

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Julie, thank you for the beautiful graphic.



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Pictures by Blake

Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eyes. 

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Thank you, Elaine