Clarence Albert McCartney
August 19, 1950- September 27, 2023
A man with many names to those who knew and loved him: Husband, Dad, Uncle, Brother, Friend, Army Medical Specialist, Reverend, Master Auto Technician, Coach, and by far his favorite and most proud accomplishments, Papaw. Survived by a devout wife, 4 children, 10 grandchildren, and countless friends from Akron, OH to Largo, FL.
Clarence, born to Mary Grace Casto and James Marie McCartney of Clarksburg, WV on August 19, 1950. Clarence is survived by younger brothers: James M. and Stanley L. McCartney of Akron, OH. Clarence achieved high marks attending the Hower Vocational High School and attended The Ohio Bible College. Clarence was drafted for the Vietnam War, where he proudly served his country in the US Army. Clarence received many distinctions, including a perfect score on his Physical Combat Proficiency Test. He actively served as an Army Medic in the Vietnam War until Honorable Discharge.
Clarence married the brunette beauty and love of his life, Diane Lee Keys, on June 17, 1972. They bought a home in east Akron and filled the blue, two-story with love. They were blessed with four children, the wild McCartney kids, Sean Scott, April Diane, Megan Mary, and Eric Shane. They raised their children as Ellet Orangemen and were prominent members of First Apostolic Church of Tallmadge, Light House Gospel Church, and New Destiny Worship Center in Clearwater. He was part of creating weekly bulletins, teaching youth classes, running outside ministries, hosting bible studies, acting as nefarious or angelic characters in church dramas, driving the church bus, or playing first base on the church softball team. Clarence was a proud Christian with an eagerness to serve God and others, without judgement and with his authentic charm.
He worked faithfully as a mechanic for VanDevere Oldsmobile for 20 years until retirement. He continued replacing tires, water pumps, and answering any car questions about dash lights from his kids and others for another two decades. Clarence lived out his golden years of retirement in a green golf cart, donning Army stickers and gear at the Fairway Village Mobile Park. Clarence made friends easily and was proud to be known as the “Papaw Painter” in his community and was always armed with a “Dad joke” for any resident ready to hear it.
Clarence most favorite activity was being surrounding by his 10 bustling and beautiful grandchildren. There were 10 in total, 8 girls and 2 boys: Liam Michael, Gianna Lynn, Lorelei Meghan, Lily Margaret, Ava Loren, Olivia Grace, Jocelyn Brooke, Elina Marie, Logan David, and Emilia Faye. He doted and teased all 10 with proud, smiling eyes and intense love for each, whispering that they were his favorite.
Clarence left this world surrounded by love and his families’ embraces on September 27, 2023. A Memorial of his life will be scheduled 10:00 AM on Friday, October 27th at the New Destiny Worship Center Clearwater, located at 2110 N. Hercules Ave. Clearwater, FL. Directly afterwards, the internment of Clarence in final resting place at Bay Pine National Cemetery with military honors. The family thanks the many kind gestures and prayers from all who had known and shared in the life of our precious Papaw. We find comfort in knowing we will meet him again. He will be driving a red pick-up truck, wearing a Papaw shirt, a yellow lab at his heel, and eager to pick us up at the pearly gates.
11 Responses
A beautiful testament of a beautiful man of God. The love devotion of 4 children and 10 grandchildren is the proof of his love and devotion to them. Plus the rest of his family – by blood or the blood of Jesus. I can already hear the angels laughing, along with a few eyeballs rolling with mirth at him! And the greatest thing to be heard is, “Well done, My faithful servant!”Heaven truly gained a gem. Till we meet again, cuz, keep the joy rolling in heaven!
Dear cousin Diane and family.
My heart aches for you all as we say till then to Clarence. We all grew up together and attended First Apostolic Church. Clarence was always a God loving, kind man . Diane, what a beautiful union you two were! He will be so cherished and missed by everyone who’s lives he touched.
Love hugs and prayers
Sharon Sallade Corley
SENDE NG HEART FELT SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY OF MY BROTHER CLARENCE AS HIS BROTHER I HAVE GOOD MEMORIES I WILL MISS MY BROTHER ESPECIALLY TALKING ON THE PHONE WITH HIM,APRIL,MEGAN,SEAN,ERIC AND DIANE MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU THIS IS NOT GOODBYE ITS HEY BUB SEE YA LATER.
LOVE YOUR LIL BROTHER STAN& JILL McCartney
Our hearts go out to you all! 💔 Such a kind genuine man. He will definitely be missed by all who knew him. He’s with Jesus now, for sure, praising, singing, & rejoicing like never before. No pain, no troubles, just rest in Jesus. Much love & comfort to all of his family. ❤️ We love you all.
Praying for you all He was a great man and he loved serving at the church. Praying for all of you for a peace that passes all understanding
Heaven gained a great person. I still think of him driving the church bus for Sunday School. Very devoted in any aspect of church work. I will always remember the fun we had working for the Lord in church and you giving your all. Until we meet again in Heaven.
What a Wonderful Man! A Great friend. I had the privilege of sharing countless Memories with him. He always had a way of brightening your day no matter what the circumstances were. Most of all he was a perfect example of what a Christian Man should be. I will always remember Clarance & our lost is Heavens gain 😊
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Clarence “Papaw”. He was a great man and I know he’ll be sorely missed by your entire family. If there is anything I can do for your family, please let me know. This obituary is a beautiful tribute to a great man. He is with God now and out of his misery here on earth. He will keep God in stitches with his funny humor. I will be praying for your family during this very difficult time.
God Bless your entire family.
What a kind hearted man. We were truly blessed to know you. Your smile definitely could light up her room. Your presence will truly be missed, but we’ll see you soon my brother.
RIP Clarence! You will be missed by many!!
Sean’s Dad was an awesome guy & an acting father figure to us all. He was a never ending jokester and loved laughing and hanging with Seans friends… Clarence was a role model husband and father and was an incredible man of god as well… I missed the whole McCartney family when they moved to Florida and they are still very much missed…
Much love to meagan, april, and eric and diane…
xoxoxo, Kari Lyn Marino