Laurence "Larry" Clingman

LAURENCE LLOYD CLINGMAN

Larry Clingman, 79, died suddenly while overlooking the ocean in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on February 20th, 2017.  He was there on his annual winter get away with his wife of almost 10 years, Jean (Schraufnagel) Clingman.

Larry was born on January 27th, 1938, the son of Fern and Louis Clingman.

Larry had many names throughout his life span. Some knew him as coach (like Edie), others knew him as Dad, Grandpa, teacher, Referee Clingman, Clink the Clown and then Stumpy, as most of us remember him.

Larry was married to Sandra Clingman on August 5th, 1961.  Larry and Sandy were married for 40 years and had two children.  Sandy passed in 2001. Larry’s joys were his children and grandchildren.  Survivors include: his son, Michael (Roengsak) Clingman, who live in Thailand.   His daughter, Edie (Dave) Kubicek, who live in La Crescent, MN and their three children: Mitchell (Kelli) Clingman, Derek and Brooke Kubicek. He is also survived by his cousin Tom (Ada) Schmidt who was like a brother to Larry.

Larry got remarried to Jean Clingman on June 2, 2007.  They would have been married 10 years this June.  Jean has 4 children and many grandchildren that Larry was delighted to add to his family.  Jean lives in Winona MN.  Survivors include: Step Children: Jill (Norb) Kirk, Sue (Chuck) Rysted, Chuck Marita & Mitchell (Nancy) Marita.  Step Grandchildren:  Holly (Joe), Scott, Troy, Kyle, Steve (Grace), Heather (Tyler), David, Molly, Samuel, Jack, Amanda, Sarah (Grant) and Bryan.

Larry was a very active man who believed in lifelong learning.  He began his teaching career in 1962 after graduating from Winona State where he received two degrees and was active in athletics.  He started teaching in Hutchinson, MN and moved to Winona to teach for most of his career at the Winona Junior High School teaching 9th grade Physical Science, and then moved to the Senior High School and taught Biology until retiring in 1995. Early in his career he seemed to coach every sport imaginable. His greatest love was coaching swimming and diving at Winona Junior and Senior High and then coaching at Winona State and at St. Mary’s College.  He was Edie’s diving coach in her early career, which he loved.

Some of Larry’s favorite activities were some great fishing trips with his grandchildren and friends.  He loved to swim laps and show off on the diving board doing some cool belly flops to make all the kids laugh.  He helped get Winona its very first aquatic center.  He could often be seen biking the lakes with his “Viking” bike helmet. He loved the outdoors and was a huge gardener, always giving everyone his produce, especially tomatoes.

As a Winona Clown he won many awards and was named the Steamboat Days Parade Marshall in 2015.  He got to ride in an old Cadillac with his favorite Clown, Peppermint Polly (Jean).  He was active in the National Guards for seven years.  He was a member of the Jaycees in Winona and loved going to the Winona Legion to visit with the boys.  He also spent many hours volunteering and really loved his time at the Winona Historical society.  At one point in his life he had wanted to be a librarian which is not surprising since he always could be seen with a book in his hand and had deep passion for reading and staying educated. So grab your favorite book and start reading one of Larry’s favorite authors such as : Tom Clancy, Lee Child, or Harlan Coben; just to name a few.

In closing, one of his favorite quotes was: “I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I live today. Good night.”

Visitation will be held at St. Casimir’s Catholic Church, 626 West Broadway, Winona, on Saturday, March 4, 2017, from 9 AM until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 AM.  The Reverend Mark C. McNea will officiate.

Private family burial will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Winona.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Larry’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.

Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.