Amazing Residents of Brentwood: Part 1

If you have been around Brentwood very long at all, you will surely recognize the surname Clements. Many current residents will even remember the name George Clements, Jr. It is because of people like George and the Clements family that Brentwood has developed into the successful community we now enjoy. Here’s our tribute to someone who has held faithful to the community he calls his home town. As with all Americans with the heart of his generation, he says he “just did his job”.

George W. Clements, Jr. was born the old St. Louis Maternity Hospital in 1939. In 1941 his parents bought a house on Douglas Court in Brentwood. Since that day, George has called Brentwood his home town. Except for six-month duty in the Army and four years at Mizzou –from 1957 to 1961, earning a degree in Business Administration, George has been a fixture here. After college, he returned to Brentwood to help his father run Clements Welding & Machinery Co. in St. Louis. In 1991, the Clements family sold their business to PraxAir, where George worked until his retired from PraxAir in 2001.

George married a lovely lady from Webster Groves named Barbara Braun. He brought her to Brentwood where he and Barb have lived since that day. They have lived at # 14 York Hill for 39 years of their 42-year-long marriage. Both of those accomplishments are rare in this a era and, in my opinion, deserve BIG applause! They have also raised two remarkable daughters. Marqie and Cathie chose to remain in Brentwood to raise their own children.

During his business career, George served as President of the local chapter of the American Welding Society and zone representative of the National Welding Supply Association. He was also a long-standing member of the Brentwood Rotary Club, serving as president form 1978-1979.

Retirement is just a word for George. He is currently the Excise Commissioner for the City of Brentwood. For over 30 years, George has served on the Board of Directors of Bethesda Health Group, with 3 of those years as president of the board. He quietly explains that Bethesda Health Group has provided care for Senior Citizens- assisted living, skilled nursing, long-term care, and hospice care- for 130 years. Concern for others radiates from this kind man as he talks about health care or education or Brentwood. His care and concern reaches to the schools he attended as a boy, starting at Mark Twain Grade School through graduating from BHS. 

George is deeply involved with Brentwood High School Alumni Association. He has served on the board for six years with and is now president. The alumni gather annually during Maddenfest, promoting BHS and enjoying memories. Another major mission of the alumni association is to raise funds to provide college scholarships for graduating Brentwood High School seniors.  They provide 6 annual scholarships of $2500 each to deserving BHS graduates. Over the past 7 years, the Alumni Association has raised and awarded over $50,000 in scholarships.

George has also been the number one supporter of his beautiful wife Barb in her long political career—19 years, to be exact—as alderman for the City of Brentwood. Both George and Barb have actively supported our Parks & Recreation activities. Their girls and grandchildren have logged skating miles at the ice rink. Their family has supported Brentwood with money as well as time.  George and Barb are proud of a hometown that has been a safe place to raise two successful daughters and welcome four very special grandchildren…

…and Brentwood can be proud of the Clements family, too.