David Owen Clairemont

David O. Clairemont, 84, of Las Cruces passed away peacefully on Monday, February 7, 2022, at Heritage Assisted Living, where he had been a resident since March 2021. He lived in Las Cruces for the past 25 years, in Lawton, MI from 1989 to 1997, and in Syracuse, NY from 1982-1989. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Elizabeth (Libby) Dalton and two children of a former marriage to Carol Ann Backus: Aldea Marie Clairemont LaParr of Princeton, NC (husband Gary LaParr died in 2010), and Gary Francis Clairemont, of Goldsboro, NC (wife Lisa). A son, Keith, preceded him in death in 1984. He has five grandchildren: Amanda and Matthew Clairemont; Andy, Tim and Scott LaParr; and two great-grandchildren - Serenity and Oaklynn LaParr. He was a beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews of his wife Libby's family. David was born in Faust, NY (now Tupper Lake) in the Central Adirondack Mtns. on November 5, 1937, to George Fisher Clairemont and Lola Marie Pickell. He graduated from Holy Ghost Academy in June 1955 and joined the Navy in July 1955. He trained as a meteorologist and flight forecaster in Lakehurst, NJ, and served in that capacity on the Bonhomme Richard Aircraft Carrier, at the Brunswick, ME Naval Air Station, on a submarine tender in Holy Loch Scotland, in Aneheim, CA, and in Morocco. He was promoted to Chief Petty Officer (CPO) in July 1969. He taught meteorology subjects at the Naval Air Station, Lakehurst, NJ in the late 1970s. He completed his naval career in a Navy personnel unit at Norfolk, VA as a trainer on alcohol and drug abuse problems, and race relations. He retired to Star Lake, NY in March 1974 and embarked on a second career in the mental health field, as a Credentialed Alcoholism Counselor for the Lewis County Mental Health Clinic (1974-1979), the Onondaga Council on Alcoholism (1983-1989), and the Syracuse Rescue Mission. He and his wife Libby moved to Lawton, MI in August 1989 where he farmed 30 acres and planted hazelnuts, chestnuts, and Japanese walnuts. In 1997, they moved to Las Cruces where he grew native plants and cactus. He was a master gardener and enjoyed fishing, especially surf casting off Cape Hatteras. He was an avid reader of history and Christian literature and wrote poetry. He owned and rescued dogs for 30 plus years. He served on the regional mental health board in west-central Michigan and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate in Las Cruces. He was a member of Heart for the World Church for the 16 years prior to his death and loved his church family deeply. He strongly supported the missions and compassion ministries of the church. He had a heart for people struggling with addiction and reached out to many in those circumstances. David's memorial service will be held at Heart for the World Church, 1605 S. Valley Drive, Las Cruces, NM 88005 on Saturday, February 26, at 11:00 a.m. Donations in his name may be made to the Benevolence Fund at Heart for the World Church (address above); Hope Centers International, 4008 Fiesta Drive, Las Cruces, NM 88005; or La Pion Sexual Recovery Center, 850 Motel Blvd., Las Cruces, NM 88007. Internment of his ashes will take place at Albany Rural Cemetery, New York.