Hal Clements

Hal Fredric Sherman Clements, 73, of Chattanooga (Elder Mountain), passed peacefully from our sight and sound on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012, at Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family.Hal was born in Knoxville on April 17, 1939. Hal spent the majority of his childhood in Knoxville, where he was an Eagle Scout, a member of the Boy Scouts of Americas National Honor Society the Order of the Arrow, and a graduate of West High School. After earning his undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee, and after completing two years of medical school, Hal received his law degree from the University of Tennessee and was admitted to the practice of law in Tennessee in 1965. Hal, who specialized in representation of management in labor and employment matters, enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the legal profession. He rose to the top of his profession and was recognized in The Best Lawyers in America. In 1981, Hal, along with Ron Ingham and Bill Trumpeter, formed the law firm of Clements, Ingham and Trumpeter. Hal served as the managing partner of that firm until 1987 when it merged with Miller & Martin to form that firms labor and employment department. Hal served as the chairman of the labor and employment department for many years as the department grew from four to 40 attorneys, one of the largest labor and employment practices in Tennessee, representing clients all across the country. Hal will be especially remembered as an admired mentor to many of the younger attorneys at Miller & Martin. His clients could not have found a more dedicated advocate to present their causes, or a more loyal friend. He was the recipient of the Albert L. Hodge Volunteer Award from the Chattanooga Bar Association in 2009, the Richard Satterfield award for 33 years of service as executive secretary of the Chattanooga Automotive Trade Association, and served as an instructor for Coca Cola University. He retired from Miller & Martin in January of 2010. Hal served on the board of directors of the Mountain City Club.An avid outdoorsman and sportsman, Hal fished and hunted all over North and South America, was an original member of B.A.S.S., and helped form the local chapter.He was preceded in death by his parents, Pauline Braswell Clements, of Scottsville, Ky., and Hal Harrison Clements Jr., of Knoxville.He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Beverly Best Clements, Elder Mountain, Tenn.; daughter, Karen Clements (Jimmy Wilmer), Columbus, Ohio; daughter, Stephanie Vachon (Reggie), Lookout Mountain, Tenn.; two grandchildren, Sadler and Braswell Vachon; uncle, "Capt. Daniel C. Clements USN (retired)", Nashville; as well as many cousins and friends who all will dearly miss him. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013, at St. Pauls Episcopal Church, 305 West 7th St., Chattanooga, TN 37402. The family will greet friends at the church from 1:30 p.m. until the memorial service at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16.In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Tennessee River Gorge Trust, 535 Chestnut St., Suite 214, Chattanooga, TN 37402; the Chattanooga Arboretum and Nature Center, 400 Garden Road, Chattanooga, TN 37419; or St. Pauls Episcopal Church, 305 West 7th St., Chattanooga, TN 37402.Friends may visit www.heritagefh.com to offer condolences and sign the online guest register.Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga.