Lewis Clair Klingensmith

Lewis Clair Klingensmith of Bradenton, FL and Johns Creek, GA, formerly from Ford City, PA passed away peacefully on August 11, 2025 at 94 years old.

Clair was born in Kelly Station, PA to Burt & Lucille (Spang) Klingensmith. He attended Ford City High School. Clair who was a US Army veteran of the Korean War, saw intense fighting on the 38th Parallel.

On September 6, 1957, he married the love of his life, Carroll Gene McCormick of Leechburg, PA. They enjoyed life for nearly 68 years together, building a home and family. They especially enjoyed travel and camping.

Clair worked as a caster for Eljer Corp for 38 years, where he was known for his extra-ordinary artisan quality.

Clair is a child of God. He was a member of Lord of Life, Alpharetta, GA and Redeemer Lutheran Church of Bradenton, Fl. He served with various disaster mission trips to Homestead FL, Albany GA, and St. Thomas.

Clair especially enjoyed hunting and fishing. Clair’s passion for well over 50 years was metal detecting. He was a longtime member of the Butler County (PA) Treasure Hunters and Bradenton (FL) Treasure Hunters.

Clair served as the treasurer of Troop 676 Boy Scouts for over 25 years. He was American Legion and VFW (lifetime) member.

Clair was known for his calm and patient demeanor and his devotion to his wife and family. He was a caring father, and an amazing grandfather. He was welcoming in conversation and often had a twinkle in his eye. Clair had heroic personal strength – miraculously recovering from a horrific tree fall in 2012 and persevered with ever-increasing cognitive loss over the last 7 years.

Clair is survived by his wife - Carroll Klingensmith; son - Kirk (Cynthia) Klingensmith of Corning, NY; daughter – Dr Renee’ (Dr. D. Dale) Stone of Alpharetta, GA; grandchildren Luke (Danielle) Klingensmith, Dr. D. Colin (Mackenzie) Stone, Dr Kayla (James Nicastro) Klingensmith, Dr Sydney Stone; great grandchildren Piper Klingensmith and Saylor Stone; and sister - Elma Shields of Black Lick, PA. (That’s five dentists in the family!)

He was proceeded in death by his parents, sisters Eleanor Galbraith & Anna Mae Klingensmith and brother Franklin Dean Klingensmith. 

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 11:00 am at the Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 5390 McGinnis Ferry Rd, Alpharetta GA 30005. A reception with light lunch will follow. Those who cannot attend in-person can attend virtually via Facebook live stream to Lord of Life Alpharetta https://www.facebook.com/LordOfLifeAlpharetta

Clair will be interned at the Georgia National Cemetery, 1080 Scott Hudgens Dr, Canton, GA 30114. Friends and family are welcome to attend the brief interment service with full military honors on Monday, August 25, 2025 at 1:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be directed to The Lewis and Carroll Klingensmith Endowment Fund at Lutherlyn – our family’s spiritual center camp in western Pennsylvania. Checks may be made to “Lutherlyn” with “Klingensmith Endowment Gift” in the memo line to: Lutherlyn, Director of Development PO Box 355 Prospect, PA 16052