Earl G. “Gene” Clopton, age 85 of Centralia, formerly of Salem, died peacefully on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at Centralia Manor. He moved to his heavenly home with his Savior Jesus. Earl was born on January 29, 1936 in Walnut Hill, the son of John and Marie (Bland) Clopton. He married Marjorie (Sands) Clopton on July 1, 1960 in New Mexico and they shared 55 years of marriage until she preceded him in death on June 16, 2015. On July 24, 2016 he married Eppie (Copeland) Clopton and she survives in Centralia. In addition to his wife, Eppie, he is survived by two daughters, Melinda Clopton of Alma and Shirley Owen and husband Lance of Independence, MO; step-son, Dwight Franke and wife Brenda of Kell and two grandsons, Daniel Owen and Joshua Owen. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Marjorie; brother, Johnny Clopton; and sister, Helen Sands and husband Jim. Earl was a faithful member of Grace Church of the Nazarene in Salem. He served his country in the United States Army, training at Fort Knox in Kentucky and then being stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX and from there went to Italy. Over the course of his career, he held various jobs; working for Siegler Stove Company, McDonnell Douglas, USDA, and in industrial maintenance. He always had a positive attitude, able to find a silver lining in anything. He had scores of friends, that he would do anything for. Private Family Services will be held at Crouse Funeral Home in Salem. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Grace Church of the Nazarene, A.C.L.J. (American Center for Law and Justice), Jerusalem Prayer Team International, or to the family, and can be received at the funeral home. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Earl "Gene" Clopton, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.