Mr. James L. Clement, Sr. age 86 of Ellijay, passed away on Saturday, May 19, 2024 at his home after a brief illness.

Mr. Clement was born on October 4, 1937 in Rome, Georgia to the late Geneva and George L. Clement.

In his younger years, he liked to race motorcycles and was a paper delivery boy.

James was very involved with his sons sports teams, coaching football, baseball and was very involved with the Boy Scouts of America.

James' first job was with Pepperell Mills as an Accountant.  He was later employed with The General Motors Plant in Doraville, GA for 32 years on the product assembly line, and retired at age 52. After James retirement, he moved to Ellijay, GA where he spent time with his family. He also began to carve wood ducks and would later have a successful business carving Santa Clauses which he did for the remainder of his life.

He was a founding member of the Cartecay Baptist Church. Mr. Clement loved to travel and visited many countries with his wife, Joan.

James was pre-deceased by his wife of 65 years, Joan.  He leaves behind two sons, James L. (Roxanne) Clement Jr. and Victor L. (Sherry) Clement, and 4 grandchildren, Ashley Clement and her fiance Jack Decker, Patrick (Sarah) Clement, Nick Henderson, and Nicole Bishop also survive.

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, June 2, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Bernhardt Funeral Home with Dr. Chad Hall officiating.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 2, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. until the service hour of 3:00 p.m at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks that memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association.

The family would like to personally thank James' Caregivers: Marcia Tilson and Ansley Craig - without the help, love and compassion you showed my father after my mom's passing, we couldn't have done it without you.  We would also like to thank the team at Compassus Hospice for the wonderful care they provided in James final days.

Bernhardt Funeral Home is in charge of these arrangements.