Clarence Givens, Jr., 94, died July 6, in Houston, Texas.
A Celebration of Lives joint service with Martha Layne Givens will be Friday, July 25, at 11 a.m. at Good Shepherd UMC in Cypress, Texas, with Dr. Richard Klein officiating.
Clarence Givens, Jr. was born Oct. 10, 1919, to Kate Magnolia Givens and Clarence Givens in Idabelle, Okla. Clarence was raised by his stepfather, Cortis G. Short, and Kate Magnolia Short in San Angelo.
He eloped with his high school sweetheart, Martha Layne, in 1938. Clarence worked 1940-1942 on building the Alcan Highway in Alaska. In 1944, he joined the Navy. He spent his life an architect in Midland, Reno and Waikiki. In 1982, he retired and moved to Pagosa Springs, and then to Sierra Vista, Ariz. In February of 2014, due to health issues, he moved to Cypress to live with his son and wife; unfortunately, he was so ill that he went to the hospital very quickly and spent the remainder of his life at Woodwind Rehab.
He enjoyed his many hobbies including scuba diving, model airplanes, travel and his retirement.
He is preceded in death by Martha Layne Givens; son Joel Dennis Givens; brother-in law Ross and wife, Catherine, of El Campo. He was survived by his son, C. Layne Givens, and wife, Linda, of Cypress; his six grandsons and wives: Brian and Maggie, of Rockville, Md.; Steven and Danielle, of Martinez, Ga.; Chris Combs and Marissa, of Cypress; Kery and Shannon, of Anchorage; Kris and Holly, of Katy, Texas, and Jaime and Shannon, of Billings, Mont.; 18 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Clarence was ill so no memorial could be held for Martha Layne. Since they spent 75 years married together, it was natural they should have their memorial together.
