Merit Dewitt Clements, Iii

Merit DeWitt Clements III went to be with the Lord on December 11, 2020. Merit was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on September 14, 1940, to Agnes Ella Whitehouse and Merit DeWitt Clements II. A graduate of the University of Alabama, Merit was the definition of a self-made man. After much success in the marketing field with several large companies, he eventually said goodbye to his life on the road of business travel and started King Lube, one of the first quick oil change businesses anywhere and the first in Columbus, Georgia, with lifelong friends Ray Mobley and Bobby Clark. During this time, he enjoyed being home with family and running a new business venture, which he eventually helped grow to six locations before selling the business and fully retiring in 2001.

Merit loved many of the finer things in life, but his strongest love outside of his family was golf. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed being a part of multiple golf groups over the years through his memberships at both Green Island Country Club in Columbus and Moore’s Mill Club in Auburn, Alabama. Merit often planned his travel and vacations around some of the most renowned golf courses in the world. Not a day went by that Merit didn't find some time to play, even if it was just putting around his house, where you could be sure a golf tournament somewhere was always playing on the television. Perhaps the only thing he loved more than the game of golf was his family.

Merit was blessed with a large family. He met, fell in love with, and married the former Mary Kay Land in 1984. Mary Kay’s children and eventual grandchildren instantly became his. They spent almost 18 happy years together until losing Mary Kay to cancer in 2001. Merit was lucky in love again when he met and married Debra Massey Clements in 2004. He spent the last 16 years loving her and gaining another set of children and grandchildren to love in the process. Merit and Debra created many happy memories for their newly blended family. Family was the most important thing to Merit and nothing gave him greater joy than spending time with and loving his grandchildren. He spent countless hours sharing his wisdom, his love of the game of golf, attending sports events, dance recitals, graduations and other important events for them. They were also blessed to share time with Pops at his vacation homes at the beach and in the mountains. During his 80 years on this earth, Merit lived life to the fullest and encouraged those he loved to do the same.

Merit is survived by his loving wife, Debra Clements; stepchildren Linda Logan (J.), Clay Land (Shannon),Ben Land (Jill), Jay Land (Kathy), Blake Hatley (Sylvia), and Mitchell Hatley (Lissa); grandchildren, John and Anna Logan; Katherine, Brooks, Clay, Ella, Eva and Eli Land; Kimberly Land Eaton (Sean); Ella, Lauren, Preston, Parker and Mary Grace Hatley, Marisa and Andrew Paul; brother Harry Clements (Kim); nephew and niece, Christopher and Alex Clements. He also leaves behind a large community of loyal friends, golfing buddies and other loved ones whose lives he touched in innumerable ways.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a private graveside service will be held for the family on Thursday, December 17, 2020, at 2:00 PM, at Parkhill Cemetery in Columbus, Georgia, officiated by Dr. Edwin M. Cooper, who Merit considered not only his pastor during his time at St. Paul United Methodist Church, but also his friend and fellow golfing enthusiast. The service will be live-streamed on www.mcmullenfuneralhome.com and available for viewing thereafter for Merit’s many friends and loved ones unable to attend in person.

In lieu of flowers, and in keeping with Merit’s wishes, memorial contributions may be made in Merit’s memory to The First Tee of Troup County, 1220 LaFayette Parkway LaGrange, GA 30241.