James Berton Clouse was born in Gary, Indiana on January 14,
1942 and passed away in Houston, Texas on February 1, 2021.
Jim grew up in northwest Indiana. He attended Highland High
School in Highland, IN and Tri-State University in Angola, IN. His
early career as a draftsman with Clark Equipment in Michigan City,
IN eventually led to a position with United States Steel Supply in
Chicago, IL which he held for many years. It was with U.S. Steel
Supply that he was offered a new position as a wire-tire service
representative, and with the promise of travel, the elimination of
slide rulers from his daily tasks, and the lure of snow-free
driveways, Jim parted ways with the Midwest and moved south to
Houston, TX. Jim would go on to live in the Houston area for the
remainder of his life, working for Signode Steel and then Accent
Wire before retiring in 2005.
A man of mischief, Jim was always up for something fun. He
enjoyed a good treasure hunt, whether it be pawn shop hopping or
looking for hidden cards during "poker runs" on his 1972 Harley
Davidson Sportster. He also enjoyed browsing the World's Longest
Yard Sale and always came home with interesting finds. For a short
time, he was even a member of a square-dancing group. It was
not until 1988 when Jim and his wife, Gracie, found a new favorite
pastime: scuba diving. This new diversion sent them to numerous
exotic locations, including Roatan, Trinidad and Tobago, and Palau
(just to name a few), but his absolute favorite was Cozumel,
Mexico. After hanging up their fins, Jim and Gracie began cruising.
He particularly considered the wildlife views and train ride on their
Alaska land tour package as well as the whiskey tasting during their
stop in Ireland among his favorite cruise memories.
Throughout his life, Jim was the quintessential "Jack-of-all-trades."
Not only was he an apt carpenter, he was a skilled mechanic and
gunsmith. As an avid hunter, he particularly enjoyed deer hunting
and was a crack-shot, as evidenced by various trophy mounts and a
constant venison-filled freezer. Hunting, gunsmithing, reloading,
and target practice were all frequent topics of conversation, and Jim
made sure to share such teachable moments as "The Gun
Whisperer" with both family and friends. In recent years, Jim loved
going on hunting trips with his sons, sons-in-law, and grandsons.
He was especially proud of passing along the Clouse legacy of
responsible gun ownership and safety.
Jim had a passion for classic country music, old westerns, American
history, antique cars, and the Indy 500. He was good with
numbers and handy with just about any tool, which was to his
advantage as he preferred to do things himself and in his own way.
Though he balked at asking for any help, he was always quick to
offer it; and even if considered a man of self-reliance, he knew well
of his own loving need for Gracie. If he called you a friend, you
were his friend for life. His passing leaves a gaping hole in the
hearts of many, and we are thankful for the memories and impact
his life had on all who knew him well.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Easten Rowe Clouse and
Clarcie Ellen DeBard Clouse; and by his granddaughter, Jillian
Shephard.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Graciela Alderete
Clouse; his five children, Kimberly Clouse Schantl (John), Kristine
Clouse Caouette (Ivo), Cynthia Clouse Matheson (Thomas), William
Richard Clouse (Stephne), and James Easten Clouse (Amy); his
cousins, Richard Clouse, Ann Seward, and Jacqie Patterson; his 12
grandchildren, Emily Shephard, James Caouette, Drew Caouette,
Joshua Caouette, Garrett Caouette, Jarret Matheson, Kyle
Matheson, Sara Matheson, Clayton Clouse, Emma Clouse, Easten
Clouse, and Micah Huss; and his great-grandson, Levi Caouette.
A celebration of Jim's life is being planned for a later date during
the summer months when we can all safely gather together in his
memory.