Wahkiakum Eagle-January 1998 CLEMENS, Gifford Franklin Age 87, died at an Elochoman Valley Adult Family Home in Cathlamet. He was born in Halfway, Ore., the son of H. A. Clemens and Lucia Clemens. He had the distinction of being related to Samuel Clemens, alias Mark Twain. Like his ancestor, was involved in the family newspaper as a typesetter. He received his higher education at the University of Washington. He was an officer in the Army Corp of Engineers and served in the Philippines during WWII. His major loves were his wife, Thelma Mary who he married on July 15, 1951 and golf. The Clemens traveled extensively and he pursued his love of golf and was always involved in the construction and maintenance of golf courses. He was a charter member of the Highline Grange #1132 and a member of the V.F.W. Post #3017 in Longview. He also enjoyed Senior Center activities, country western music, and square dancing. He is survived by his wife, Thelma at the Elochoman Valley home; her sons and daughters-in-law, George and Luella Jeffers of Quartzsite, Ariz., Kenneth L. and Charlene R. Jeffers of Cathlamet; 17 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. There were no services at the request of the deceased. Cremation-Willamette National Cemetery-Portland, Ore. 10 Jan 1910-08 Jan 1998 (As transcribed by the Wahkiakum County Historical Society 2005 from original newspaper collection.)