SFC Vernon Buck Clackley, Jr., US Army (Ret.)

1 Corinthians 2:9
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

SFC Vernon Buck Clackley, Jr., of Gaston, SC, entered Heaven on September 21, 2026. He was the son of the late MSG Vernon Buck Clackley, Sr. and Barbara Torrence Clackley. Vernon was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and follower of Jesus. Vernon loved the Lord. He served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. He and his wife Debra are members of First Baptist Church of Gaston. Anyone who knew Vernon knew of his quick wit, his love for a good joke and how much he enjoyed making others laugh.

After 24 years of proudly serving his country, Vernon retired from the U.S. Army. Vernon also served as a police officer for the West Columbia and Springdale Police Departments, as well as the Columbia Metropolitan Airport Police Department. Later in life, Vernon served as a Lieutenant for the Department of the Army Civilian Police on Fort Jackson, SC, and as Chief of Security for the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Charleston, SC. Vernon loved his country and was proud to serve.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Debra Mitchell Clackley of Gaston, SC; his daughter, Erica DeShazo Putnam of Gaston, SC; and his son, Vernon Brian Clackley (Charity) of Charleston, SC; his grandchildren, Erin Farmer (Chris) of Seneca, SC, Casey Turner (TJ) of Walhalla, SC, Wyatt Putnam of Swansea, SC, and Kylie Clackley, Ella Clackley and Macie Clackley of Charleston, SC; his great-grandchildren, Lillien Turner, Luna Turner, Al Turner and Scarlett Farmer; his sister, Rebecca Rush (David) of Jefferson, GA; his father-in-law, Ray Mitchell of Dothan, AL; his sister-in-law, Sonja Jernigan (Earl) of Dothan, AL; his brother-in-law, Michael Mitchell (Chris) of Birmingham, AL; his aunt, Kay Hollis (Buddy) of Blythewood, SC; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The graveside service for SFC Clackley will be held at 2 o’clock, on Wednesday, September 30th, at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia, SC.

Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.