Clement C. Valot

Clem Valot, 92, of Mackinaw City, peacefully passed away Saturday, June 1, 2019 at his home in Mackinaw City.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Mackinaw City.  Fr. Paul Megge and Sister Chris Herald will celebrate the Mass with visitation from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Lakeview Cemetery in Mackinaw City. 

Clement "Clem" Calvin, the son of Charles and Theresa (Banks) Valot, born January 5, 1927, enjoyed his childhood years in Riggsville, MI.  At the age of eighteen Clem volunteered, for the US Army Air Corp and fought in WWII as a tail gunner on a B29 bomber, in the Pacific theater. Upon returning from service, Clem married Shirley (LaHaie) on June 14, 1947, in Cheboygan, Michigan. 

Ten years later (1957), Clem and Shirley built their home in Mackinaw City.  During the next thirty-five years they were owners of several businesses including the former Valot’s Gulf Station, and Green Acres Campground, Trout Pond, and Restaurant, in addition to raising their six children, (Jerry, Larry, Mickey, Susan, Clem & JoAnn).  In the community, Clem was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, a former member of Mackinaw City Council, the Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce and was Mackinaw Township Supervisor for sixteen years. Clem retired several times only to start another campground, in his late seventies. He believed you should wear-out, not rust-out.

On a slow day, you could find Clem hunting deer, small game, and ice fishing, and occasionally taking trips to Canada and Wyoming for moose and elk. On one particular weekend hunting trip when his sons were young, Clem prepared an unforgettable pancake breakfast; he filled the bottom of the largest skillet he could find with pancake batter, gave one hard flip, and had his four sons share one of the biggest pancakes they had ever eaten. Dad was economical with both cooking and clean up.

Although summertime was filled with twelve-hour workdays, seven days a week, Dad and Mom took time to relax during the winter months. For over thirty years they spent the coldest months in central Florida, developing lifelong friendships. These wonderful friends along with several of his campers continued to stop and visit Dad during his later years.

Clem is survived by his children Mickey Valot of Plant City, FL, Susan Valot of St. Petersburg, FL, Clement (Debra) Valot of Rochester Hills, MI, JoAnn Tryban of Mackinaw City; daughter in laws, Dianne Valot of Carp Lake and Karen Valot of Carp Lake; nineteen grandchildren; twenty-six great grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; brothers Dick (Janet) of Cheboygan and Wayne (Darlene) of Nevada; sister-in-law Audrey Valot of Cheboygan, and several nieces and nephews.  Clem was preceded in death by his wife Shirley, sons Jerry & Larry; grandchildren, Joel Dessart, Robby Tryban, Daniel Wilson, Jodi Wilson, Charlie Valot and Melanie Valot and great-grandchild Gabriel Arron Valot.

Dad loved learning about the area history and sharing this with his children and grandchildren. In his honor, memorial contributions may be directed to the Mackinaw Area Public Library’s Local History Room. Address: 528 W. Central Ave, Mackinaw City, MI. 49701.  Arrangements are being handled by the Nordman-Christian Funeral Home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Clement C. Valot, please visit our floral store.