Biography: Fletcher B. Clement, lifetime resident of Little Rock, died at his home on Thursday, May 27, 2021. Fletcher was a beloved friend and treasured by his family.
Fletcher was born July 9, 1943, to the late Fletcher B. Clement, Jr. and Imogene Clement in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He had one sister, Linda Blaine Flake (Dickson). He lived most of his life in Little Rock. He also spent some of his childhood in Colorado and middle teens in Marrakesh, Morocco, where his father worked as a Civil Engineer.
Fletcher attended Little Rock elementary school and Forrest Heights Junior High. He graduated from Hall High School in 1961. He spent two years at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville before voluntarily enlisting in the US Army in 1963. After training, Fletcher served his country in Vietnam with the Green Beret team fighting on the Cambodian border from 1965-1966.
Prior to leaving for Vietnam, Fletcher married Linda B. Coleman Clement (Bootsie) in 1965. After returning from duty, Fletcher went back to college and obtained his BA in History. He and Linda had one son, Fletcher B. Clement, IV, who was born in December, 1968.
Fletcher was a Civil War history buff who traveled extensively to battlefield sites both in the US and Europe. Over 46 years, he had life-long friends and created an informal group, Military Miniatures of Arkansas. The men toured America, France and England battlefields and other historical areas of interest.
Fletcher painted and constructed dioramas of military and pop culture subjects and became an International Grand Master. He hand-constructed all of his artistic works and won numerous awards including “most creative” and “best-of-show” at competitions. He also painted and wrote poetry, of which many were published.
Fletcher was considered an astute Thoroughbred horse bloodstock agent and built an additional business through successful syndications of unrecognized young horses.
One of his treasured group of friends were those who worked out at the same athletic club and watched and competed with the Jeopardy TV show. With his wide range of knowledge, he often won!
Fletcher was often described by those who loved him as a Poet, a Scholar, and a Mighty, Mighty Warrior. He once spoke of his Vietnam service as “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away”. He is now reunited with the friends with whom he served and cherished family members who proceeded him.
Fletcher will be missed here but reunited with his favorite uncle who served in WW1, his sister, and, of course, his little fat pug dog (Shirley).
Fletcher is survived by his son, Fletcher B. Clement IV, his granddaughter, Chloe Raven Clement, his niece, Leslye Shellam (Ray) and his former wife, Linda Coleman Clement. Many other extended family share the loss of Fletcher, and friends not named here are “family” who will miss him dearly.
Services will be limited due to Covid issues, but a visitation will be planned for friends to reunite soon. Any questions can be sent to Josh Taylor. RuebelFuneralHome.com