Clyde E. Nason, Jr. ’55 died on May 14, 2023, in Gorham, Maine.
(The following was provided by the Hobbs Funeral Home on May 14, 2023)
Clyde E. Nason, Jr. ’55
GORHAM – Clyde E. Nason Jr., 90, of Gorham passed away at home on May 14, 2023. He is survived by his wife, Martha (Knight) Nason, two children, Mark K. Nason and Clyde E. Nason III, eleven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.
MY LIFE AND TIMES [edited]
December 26, 1932 in Portland, Maine
Father: Clyde E. Nason, Sr.; Mother: Beatrice Mae (Higgins) Nason
I grew up and lived in South Portland, Maine until 1998 when wife Martha and I moved to our chalet at Mt. Abram Ski Area in Greenwood, Maine.
Graduated from South Portland High School in 1951 and Bowdoin College in 1955; majored in American History with a minor in German (and English). Member of the Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) Fraternity.
MILITARY SERVICE: June 1955 graduated from Bowdoin Senior Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). Commissioned Second Lieutenant (2LT) Artillery, US Army Reserve. In the 901st Field Artillery, 76th Division (Reserve/Later Ready). I was in Service Battery at Fort Williams, Cape Elizabeth, Maine, and assigned as ammunition train commander. I was ordered to active duty for training in April 1956 and served six months at Fort Bliss, Texas, the first fourteen weeks, of which, was a student officer in officer basic course (OBC-14), antiaircraft artillery (AAA), later designated air defense (AD). As the 76th Div. was later reassigned as a training division, I served in the 417th Regiment as company officer and adjutant, in the 304th Regiment as platoon leader, as company commander, and as plans and training staff officer (S-3). I was transferred to Brigade Headquarters (HQ) to serve as supply staff officer (S-4), First Brigade. I was returned to the 304th after a year and assigned as executive officer (XO). Later I transferred to the 1033rd U.S. Army Reserve School where I taught command and general staff (C&GS) courses to other reserve officers. During my military career I graduated from the Infantry Officers Career Course at Fort Devens, MA, C&GS School (a five-year course), the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF), and Air Force War College. Retired from active reserve status in 1983 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) having served for twenty-eight years. Life member of the Reserve Officers Association (ROA). During my military career I received the Armed Forces Reserve Medal (AFRM) twice and was awarded the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (ARCAM). Officially retired from the U.S. Army December 26, 1992.
OCCUPATION: In the spring of 1957, I began a twenty-nine-year career as an elementary school teacher. As my BA from Bowdoin did not qualify me for a State of Maine Teaching Certificate, I had to take numerous Education courses to become certified. I was placed on the Substitute Teachers list in Portland, Maine and worked several weeks, one at Cummings School and several at North School. That fall I was hired full time and started on a one-year Special License, with a fourth grade at Baxter, Chapman, and then at Reed Schools. In 1960 I was transferred to sixth grade at Longfellow and later, when the sixth grades were moved to Middle School, to Lincoln. The many Education courses led to enrollment in a Masters program. I earned a MSEd from Gorham State College in 1967. While teaching I was a member of the Portland Classroom Teachers, the Portland Teachers Association, the Maine Teachers Association, and the National Education Association. I am now a life member of NEA and belong to the Maine Education Association-Retired.
Once my Active Reserve obligation was completed, I started doing carpentry during summer vacations. This led to a full-time “Self-Employed-Contractor” business once I retired from teaching.
On February 16, 1957, I married the love of my life, Martha Beatrice Knight. Martha and I have two children, Mary K. and Clyde III; eleven grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren.