Paul Donald Clary, 75, of Columbia, passed away Saturday, October 22, 2016. Born in Winston Salem, NC on November 9, 1940, he was a son of the late Benjamin Owen Clary, Sr., and Evelyn Eargle Clary. Don was a 1959 graduate of Columbia High School, and earned his B.S. Degree in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina in 1963. During his freshman through senior years at USC he was the drum major of the marching band – The Mighty Sound of the Southeast, becoming the first person to hold this position for four consecutive years.

Upon graduation, he became the band director and chorus teacher at Dentsville High School from 1963 – 1967. In 1967, he joined his father and uncle in the family business, Simmons & Clary Food Brokers until 2000. He continued his professional life at the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce until 2011.

Don grew up in Shandon Baptist Church and in his later years enjoyed watching Dr. Wendell Estep of First Baptist Church of Columbia on television. He loved going to USC football and baseball games, but mostly he loved spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren who brought him tremendous joy.

Don is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Andrea Broome Clary, whom he met when they become neighbors on Forest Drive when he was nine years old and she was six; daughters, Patricia Ann Clary and Rachel Odom Perkins; son-in-law, David Perkins; grandchildren, Matthew Harrison Clary, Caroline Ann Clary, Gordon Heyward Perkins, and William Thomas Perkins; sister-in-law, Mary Ann Clary; niece, Evelyn Ann Clary (Scott); and great niece, Lilith Rose Clary; and a host of loving cousins and dear friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his two sons, Bryan Donald Clary and Paul Gregory Clary; and his brother, Benjamin Owen Clary, Jr.

There are no adequate words to describe how much Don, Dad, Pop Pop will be missed. He made a tremendous impact on everyone with whom he crossed paths. We would like to thank Natasha of Heartstrings Hospice for helping us say goodbye to our hero.

A funeral service will be held 2 o'clock, Wednesday, October 26th, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, with Rev. Jimmy Montgomery officiating. Interment will follow in Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 12 o'clock.