Clarice Ellen Pate Marek, a long-time resident of the Corpus Christi area, died September 18, 2018 after a lengthy illness.
Clarice was born on September 22, 1923 in Gonzales, Texas to James Lester Pate and Hallie DuBose. She was a graduate of Gonzales High School. She worked in the Gonzales County courthouse before attending business school in San Antonio, Texas. She later joined the United States Women's Marine Corps at the start of World War II. She traveled and worked in California, Hawaii and Okinawa, Japan and did her part to help in the war effort. Clarice married her first husband, Samuel Dean Lentz, and they settled in Corpus Christi, Texas. Together they had four children.
Clarice could always be found working in the yard and tending to her garden. Clarice enjoyed walking and on one of her walks she met her future husband, Myles Marek. Clarice worked for many years at the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station. After retirement she and Myles spent many years traveling and working in their garden before Myles' death in 2003.
She was preceded in death by her siblings Doris (Alvis) LePori, Lois (Johnny) Ulmer, Patricia (Luther) Garner, and Aubrey "Jack" (Bea) Pate and one daughter, Laura Lentz. She is survived by her three children Jon (Belinda) Lentz of Corpus Christi, Texas, Jeff (Bonnie) Lentz of Leakey, Texas, and Emily (Carl) Taphouse of Traverse City, Michigan. Clarice cherished her six grandchildren who also survive her, Justin (Mindy) Lentz, Amanda (Curtis) Alexander, Marisa Taphouse, Allison Taphouse, Hallie Lentz and Risden Lentz. She was also blessed with 5 great-grandchildren who also survive her, Harper, Alene, Jett, Zachary and Otto.
The family wishes to thank all of the staff and caregivers at Cimarron Place for their care of Clarice during her lengthy illness.
The family will be holding a private service in Gonzales, Texas in November to celebrate her life.
Memorials can be made in her honor to the Alzheimer's Association.