Paul Clergy

Paul Henry Clergy, 80, of West Des Moines, Iowa passed away on November 12, 2022 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. It was his 80th birthday.

A visitation will be held on Monday, November 28, 2022 from 11:00AM to 1:00PM at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309. There will be a graveside ceremony at 2:00PM at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, 34024 Veteran’s Memorial Drive, Adel, Iowa 50003.

Following the ceremony, there will be a Celebration of Life at the Veteran’s Reception Center, 910 Main Street, Van Meter, Iowa 50261.

Paul Henry Clergy was born to Henry and Kathryn (Ida Kathryn Moore) Clergy on November 12, 1942 in Des Moines, Iowa. He grew up on the Southside. On November 30, 1963 he married Joan Lair and to this union Kelly Rae was born.

Paul enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and was trained as a helicopter pilot. He was honorably discharged, with a purple heart, due to being shot down and wounded in his helicopter.

Paul was a very talented bowler and spent a lot of his time throughout the years bowling in leagues and tournaments. He was a lefty. He was eventually inducted into the prestigious Greater Des Moines Bowling Hall of Fame in 2008 of which he was so proud. He had a passion and love for classic cars and Hot Rods. He loved all things Elvis. Paul was a member of several clubs including: The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, and Good Guys Car Club. He was very proud of the beautiful flowers he grew. His friends were very important to him. He truly thought of them as family. He will be greatly missed by many!

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Kathryn, and his partner, Barbara Besler.

Paul is survived by his daughter, Kelly (Jim) McKnight; four granddaughters, Kearstin (Juan) Puricelli, Kourtney (James) Chance, Elizabeth (Joel) Taylor, and Kathryn (Mike) Eaton; and seven great-grandchildren, Karsten, Damien, Bianca, Valentina, Charlotte, Chloe, and Mia.

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