With sadness but with joy, Clarence Pete, at the age of 84, made a life transition at Medical City of Arlington Hospital on February 26, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in Arlington, TX.  Clarence, the oldest of seven children, was born on August 20, 1935, to the late Cleveland & Della Johnson Pete in Port Barre, LA.

Clarence began his educational training at the age of 6 at Randall Elementary School in Opelousas, LA.  There, he attended from grades 1-6.  Clarence had to drop out of school after 6th grade and commit his time to help out on the farm.  He remained in Opelousas until the age of 15, at which time, he moved to Port Arthur, TX, where he lived with others on a boat as a fisherman.  For 7 years, Clarence and his boat crew sailed waters from Port Arthur to Sabine, TX, catching seafood to bring back to shore for income.

In 1957, Clarence moved from Port Arthur to Lake Charles, LA to continue working as a fisherman in Cameron, LA.  In that same year, one of the worst storms in the history for Cameron came ashore, destroying the city, which was "Hurricane Audrey."  As a result, his work as a fisherman came to an end.  In 1958, he took up employment with the Lake Charles Poultry Company for 3 years.  In 1962, he started working in the construction industry and was affiliated with the Laborers Local 207.  Clarence was a hard worker and enjoyed the benefits of his labor until he could no longer work due to him becoming disabled in 1981.  On April 2, 1960, Clarence married his queen, Alma Milburn.  To this union, 7 children were born and one grandson adopted.

In 1960, Clarence accepted Christ as his savior and was baptized at Greater St. Mary Baptist Church in Lake Charles, under the leadership of the late Dr. R.B. House.  He was dedicated and committed to his serving.  He served as an usher, a singer in the male choir, a bus driver and a personal chauffeur for the current pastor, Rev. Samuel C. Tolbert, Jr.  Clarence was a loyal and active member in his church until he relocated to Dallas in 2008, to reside with his daughter.

Clarence was preceded in death by his wife, Alma Milburn Pete; son, Ronald Craig Pete, Sr.; parents, Cleveland and Della Johnson Pete; sisters, Gladys Young, Stellar Dunbar and Emma Pitre; and brother, Walter Pete.

He is survived by his six children: Lesia Marcella Reed (Ricky), Karen Renee' Cuba (Charles), Ardwin Fitzgerald Pete (Rachel), Kevin Cornell Pete, Sr. (Velma), Thea Rosilyn Cain (Izeal) and Carver Carvette Pete; seventeen grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; two sisters; five in-laws; three god-daughters and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The homegoing celebration for Clarence will be Saturday, March 7, 2020 at Greater St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church; 1801 2nd Avenue, Lake Charles, LA; with visitation/viewing from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm and funeral services at 1:00 pm.