Lewis Clair Klingensmith of Bradenton, FL, and Johns Creek, GA, formerly of Ford City, PA, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2025, at the age of 94.
Clair was born in Kelly Station, PA, to Burt & Lucille (Spang) Klingensmith. He graduated from Ford City High School. A proud US Army veteran of the Korean War, Clair experienced significant combat on the 38th Parallel.
On September 6, 1957, he wed the love of his life, Carroll Gene McCormick of Leechburg, PA. Together, they cherished nearly 68 years, creating a loving home and family while sharing a passion for travel and camping.
Clair dedicated 38 years of his career as a caster for Eljer Corp, renowned for his exceptional artisan craftsmanship.
Clair was a devoted child of God, a member of Lord of Life in Alpharetta, GA, and Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bradenton, FL. He participated in several disaster relief mission trips to places such as Homestead, FL, Albany, GA, and St. Thomas.
He had a deep love for hunting and fishing and spent over 50 years pursuing metal detecting. Clair was a long-standing member of the Butler County (PA) Treasure Hunters and the Bradenton (FL) Treasure Hunters.
For over 25 years, Clair served as the treasurer for Troop 676 Boy Scouts. He was also a lifetime member of the American Legion and VFW.
Known for his calm and patient nature, Clair exhibited unwavering devotion to his wife and family. He was a caring father and a wonderful grandfather, often engaging warmly in conversation with a twinkle in his eye. Clair demonstrated remarkable resilience, recovering from a serious tree fall in 2012 while also enduring cognitive decline over the past seven years.
He is survived by his wife, Carroll Klingensmith; son, Kirk (Cynthia) Klingensmith of Corning, NY; daughter, Dr. Renee’ (Dr. D. Dale) Stone of Alpharetta, GA; grandchildren Luke (Danielle) Klingensmith, Dr. D. Colin (Mackenzie) Stone, Dr. Kayla (James Nicastro) Klingensmith, Dr. Sydney Stone; great-grandchildren Piper Klingensmith and Saylor Stone; and sister Elma Shields of Black Lick, PA. (Yes, that’s five dentists in the family!)
Clair was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Eleanor Galbraith & Anna Mae Klingensmith, and brother Franklin Dean Klingensmith.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 11:00 am at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 5390 McGinnis Ferry Rd, Alpharetta, GA 30005. A reception with a light lunch will follow. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be streamed live on Facebook via Lord of Life Alpharetta at https://www.facebook.com/LordOfLifeAlpharetta.
Clair will be interred at the Georgia National Cemetery, 1080 Scott Hudgens Dr, Canton, GA 30114. Friends and family are welcome to join the brief interment service with full military honors on Monday, August 25, 2025, at 1:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be directed to The Lewis and Carroll Klingensmith Endowment Fund at Lutherlyn, our family’s spiritual center camp in western Pennsylvania. Checks may be made out to “Lutherlyn” with “Klingensmith Endowment Gift” in the memo line, and sent to: Lutherlyn, Director of Development, PO Box 355, Prospect, PA 16052.
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