Thomas Clemons laid to rest

(CANEYVILLE, Ky.) -- He was serving our country as a national guardsman and scheduled to come home in just a few months. But last week, while serving in Iraq Staff Sgt. Thomas Clemons died suddenly of a heart attack. On Thursday his hometown remembered the man who always put his family and country first. WAVE 3's Frances Kuo was there.

On a dreary Thursday morning, Caneyville, Kentucky welcomed home staff Sergeant Thomas Clemons -- much too soon.

Dermitt funeral home couldn't hold everyone who turned out to pay their final respects for the man who died defending his country.

Clemons' friend and fellow soldier, Staff Sgt. Robert Douthitt called the turnout "a fitting tribute to the man missed by so many."

William Clemons says he "couldn't ask for a better brother, friend, or person."

The tiny town stood tall for its fallen soldier. William Clemons says his brother died young, but died doing what he loved. "He died serving his country. Everybody's really proud of him."

Clemons had served in the Kentucky Army National Guard since August 2000. He was deployed to Iraq this past March.

William says his brother "didn't have to go over there, but he went over there because his cousins were over there, and he went over there to help take care of them."

Last Monday, as he was preparing to go on patrol, he lost to a battle far from the front lines.

William says "he had just got in a Humvee and they were going to a checkpoint. And they was all was laughing, joking around, and he just fell over. That was it."

Army officials say Sgt. Clemons -- who was 37 years old -- died of a heart attack. Now the father of two will have to live on in others.

Douthitt says Clemons was "a simple man. He always had a smile on his face, always had a way of making you smile, and that's what I most remember about him."

And Caneyville couldn't help but wonder about Clemons' real welcome back this coming March.

"He was looking forward to coming back and riding his bike," William said. "He just bought him a Harley last time he was in, and he was looking forward to coming back and everybody getting together to ride. I guess he's riding in heaven."

Last October Clemons married his wife, Sheila.

Clemons is the 13th Kentucky Army National Guard soldier to die since September 11th.

From WAVE 3

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Thomas W. Clemons dies from heart attack