Dr. C. Truman Clem, 85, DSC Past President, DEF Past President, and DSC Life Member, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on December 17, 2015.
Clem won DSC’s Outstanding Hunting Achievement Award in 1994, for his 14-year quest and collection in fair chase of all the spiral-horned antelope of Africa and many sub-species, of which 17 of 19 are record class. Clem was very important in the making of what DSC is today.
Truman served as President of Dallas Safari Club and Dallas Ecological Foundation and was a member of Shikar Safari Club from 1983 to present.
A Dall sheep and a huge grizzly led to countless safaris where he collected many outstanding trophies. Opening hunting in both Vietnam and Philippines rounded out an extremely successful hunting career. He took both of his sons on their first safaris and, to this day, various family members continue down the trail he blazed.
Born February 26, 1930, Truman began his hunting career at an early age, shooting chi-chi birds off the awnings of downtown Carrollton merchants for pay. He was taken under the wings of veteran raccoon hunters and spent many late night weekends honing his skills, hunting in the Trinity River bottoms. This led to his love of duck hunting whereby he began to amass what has become an encyclopedic collection of antique, wooden-block decoys.
After serving in the Korean War, Clem attended SMU and later transferred to Baylor College of Dentistry, graduating in the spring of 1959. That same year, Clem opened the doors to his dental practice in Lewisville, Texas. He continued a successful practice for the next 54 years.
Clem also trained Labrador retrievers, running them in field trial circuits; eventually making two field trial champions. In working in the field trial circuit, he recognized a need for a boarding facility. In 1967, Toothacres Pet Care Center was founded and today boasts over 400 runs, complete with TVs, toddler beds and internet cameras.
His eldest son, Casey, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Bettye Clem, son Kelly, daughters-in-law Lori Clem, wife of Casey, Cara, wife of Kelly, granddaughter Mackenzie and two great grandchildren, Brooke and Dustin.
Family and friends will gather to celebrate his life later this month.
