Dr. Clyde Erley (Retired LTC) age 82, passed away on April 23, 2024, at his home in Sanford, North Carolina, with his beloved wife at his side.
Left to cherish Clyde’s memory are his wife of 58 years, Pomposa 'Pompi' Montiague Erley; sons, Chief Operating Officer, SAP National Security Services David (Debra) and Dr. / Ret. Col. Kenneth (Danielle) and four grandchildren Jake; Anastasia; Blake and Brendan, several nieces and nephews. Also, he is survived by his siblings Michael Erley (Jennifer deceased) KY; Lauri Ellis (Pat Brown); Casi Ellis Ruffo (Anthony) both in AZ; Tim Ellis (Mary Leith) AK; predeceased brothers Lance, Eric, David, and Matthew.
Clyde was born in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to James Sherrill Erley, a Pharmacist, and Elaine Bowen, a Librarian and housewife (predeceased). He was the eldest of his siblings. Clyde relocated to Honolulu during his high school years with his family.
Clyde grew up with a love of nature from fighting forest fires in his early teenage years and exploring the island of Honolulu hiking at Diamond Head crater to Mount Rainier and multiple trails near Olympia, WA later in life. As a homebody, he enjoyed his hobbies building beautiful items like an entertainment center, his granddaughter’s doll house, assembling detailed model wooden ships, and complex three-dimensional puzzles of the White House and Castles. Clyde was an avid reader, particularly of fiction books and most recently the King James Version of the Bible.
Clyde graduated from Radford High School Ka Po’e Ae’a in Honolulu in 1960 during the same high school years as Bette Midler, the infamous American singer and actress. With the support and encouragement of his dear Aunt Doris, Clyde went on to attend Jr. College at Taft College, CA, studying Chemistry and furthered his education by earning his Masters and Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) at the University of Kentucky Dental School in Lexington, KY, where he met and married the love of his life, ‘Pompi." Clyde went on to join the US Army Dental Corp in 1974 and his first station was at Ft. Huachuca, AZ. He completed multiple rotations across the US with his young family (Ft. Sam Houston and Ft. Hood TX, Ft. Stewart, GA). They traveled internationally to Wurzburg, Germany, and stayed for four years. When they returned to the US, Clyde was stationed at Ft. Stewart, GA, and subsequently to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Fulda, Germany, and served as Chief of the Dental Clinic. He retired from service at Ft. Lewis, WA in 1994 and then became a Certified Financial Planner. In 2009, Clyde and Pompi relocated to Sanford, NC to split the travel distance between his two sons and grandchildren living in GA and PA.
Military commendations include Meritorious Service Medal (1st OLC); Army Commendation Medal (3OLC); Army Good Conduct (4th AWD); National Defense Service Medal w/a Bronze Service Star; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon (2). Clyde's military foundation and virtues are embraced by his family and grandchildren.
To honor Clyde's memory and celebrate his remarkable life, services are on Monday, May 6th at 11:00 AM EST, at the All American Chapel on Fort Liberty, NC followed by Military Honors and Reception with family. For access to the military base to attend the services request an entry pass online https://pass.aie.army.mil/steps/branch_selection. A private burial will be at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery.
