Clyde Allen Hartley

Clyde Allen Hartley, age 83, passed away January 2, 2013 in Gulfport.
He was born July 13, 1929 to the late Clyde M. and Zella Arnold Hartley in Tchula, MS.
In 1946, Mr. Hartley graduated from Carr Central High School in Vicksburg, MS. After high school, he enlisted in the Unites States Marine Corp on August 20, 1946 and was discharged on July 21, 1948. On July 22, 1948 he enlisted in the Unites States Marine Corp Reserves and served until July 20, 1950. While in the reserves, Mr. Hartley was going to college and in 1951 he received his BS Degree from Mississippi State Teacher College (now Mississippi Delta State University).
Clyde moved to the MS Gulf Coast in early 1952 and has resided in Gulfport ever since, except for brief stints in New Orleans and Mobile. From 1952 to July of 1957 he was employed by a number of auto sales, auto financing, and appliance financing companies. In July 1957, he was employed by the Unites States Air Force as a civilian instructor, training specialist, supervisory training specialist, and evaluator in the Electronics School at Keesler Air Force Base. In 1985, he retired from Civil Service. Also, while working full time he earned a Master Degree in Education from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Clyde found the love of his life, Vera, and they were married for thirty-three years. Vera had four children from a previous marriage. He is very close to all them and their children. He feels that his union with Vera was the single most important part of his life.
Clyde was an active member of and loved his church family at Bay Vista Baptist Church. He was a greeter and a counter at church, and he enjoyed singing and fellowship with his friends in the Adult Senior Choir.
Mr. Hartley was also active in NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association).
He was preceded in death by his wife, Vera Hightower Hartley, both parents, and a son, David A. Hartley.
Survivors include his son, Clyde Milton Hartley (his son, Clyne) and wife Diane of West Point, MS; two step-sons, Randall B. Hightower (his sons, Zach and Shawn) and wife Debbie of Acworth, GA, and Larry S. Hightower (his children, Larry Jr., Randy, Brandon, Christina, and Michelle) and wife Charlotte of Richmond, TX; two step-daughters, Joette Renick (her children, Matthew, Nathan, Rachel, and Jacob) and husband Bill of Ocean Springs, MS, and Vicki Macey (her children, Jeff, Jenny, and Jackie) of Shalimar, FL; and 19 great grandchildren.
The funeral service will be held at 2:30 pm, Saturday, January 5, 2013 at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 274 Beauvoir Road, Biloxi. A visitation will be held 1:00 to 2:30 pm in the parlor of the funeral home prior to the service. Burial with military honors will be held immediately following services at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens in Gulfport.
Tributes may be shared with the family at www.riemannfamily.com.