Hello Friends and Family of Greg Clemens! The official fund is now setup to continue supporting St. Jude in his name. Thank you for the ongoing support and remembering Greg. Greg donated to St. Jude for years, and I made a promise to him that we would raise $250,000 in his name.
*The Web page only reflects online donations - the total fund including cash raised at the fundraiser is over $128,800 (as of January 2025)*
I wrote this post about my brother on the 30th anniversary of his accident. Tells you the kind of guy he was.
"On July 21st, 1986 my big brother Greg Clemens had an accident that took away his ability to walk. It changed the lives of our family forever, and started me down the path of becoming the man I am today.
I don't remember the exact day, but shortly after the accident, I asked Greg how he was feeling about it all. He told me, "If God wants this, it has to be for a reason." A 15-year old kid said that. At a time when I would have crumpled up and died, he looked at me and I knew that he was going to make it work. I have never once heard Greg complain about it. I have never heard him feel sorry for himself or use it as an excuse to not take care of something. That day forever changed my perspective on what I could do with my life. No matter how many times things change in my life, I never doubt I am going to make the best of it. I learned that from Greg.
We were so young. That fall I would be riding the bus to school listening to kids complain that person A told person B something mean about them. They were worried about acne and puberty. All I could think about was how shallow those problems were compared to what Greg was going through. Even today, when I find myself disliking a job, or feeling overwhelmed with the kids, or arguing with my lovely wife about some trivial thing like rinsing the dishes before putting them into the dishwasher, I think about my brother and tell myself to get some perspective.
During his time in the hospital, I learned what real friends were all about. The guys we grew up with were there to see him every week. Ijaz Osman, Corey Nenovich, Paul Halloff, Tracey, Victoria, Dusty, Taisa, Tom, Tim, Kim, and a few others dedicated many hours to hanging out at the hospital and our house so Greg never felt alone. To this day, I consider those folks and the guys I grew up with in our neighborhood to be family. I know who I can call when I need something done.
When Greg went back to school, he had grown his hair out. It was horrible (like his beard today, but worse). He would see people that used to be friends but disappeared from his life. One guy looked at Greg and told him, "Why don't you cut your hair (insert some nasty name calling)." Greg told him, "Because if I was ever like you, I'd kill myself." This was the day I quit caring what other people think. I know I am a good person, and I know I treat people with love and kindness. If they don't like me, that's fine. Move on.
There was a time before the accident that we were visiting our cousins in Seattle. We were playing in their yard when we saw smoke coming from a house down the street. We pounded on the door and nobody was home. Greg dove in through the damn window without thinking and put out a fire on the stove. Saved a house. This is my favorite anecdote to describe who he is. He always puts others first. He gives to charities every month when he should probably be paying my folks back (who am I to talk, right Mom and Dad?). He helps get door prizes and raffle items for the Yellow Ribbon golf tourney to support veterans. He spends a wad of cash at Dave and Buster's twice a year to win my daughter the huge stuffed animals out of the giant claw game just because he wants her to have a good time. I try to model myself after Greg in this area, because it keeps me centered, knowing there is more to the world than just me.
Through his faith, perseverance, and generosity he has changed many lives since then. He inspires me. Today makes me cry. Not because Greg got hurt, but tears of joy because I have him in my life. I laugh with him, at him, and for him at times. In the end, we are all lucky to celebrate today and my wonderful big brother.
I love you, Greg.”
TO ALL OF YOU:
Please come down to Apple Valley 7/27/25 to celebrate Greg. If you can stay for five minutes or three hours, please come and join us!
Next event:
7/27/25 3-6pm
Bogart's in Apple Valley, MN
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bxW89wA5sBQY8iQD8
All funds donated to this page will add on to the existing memorial fund.
If paying by check, PLEASE BE SURE TO WRITE, "GREG CLEMENS MEMORIAL FUND" in the memo section of your donation!
Failure to mention Greg in the memo will result in your donation going into the general St. Jude fund.
Your generous donation and loving thoughts are a light of hope to St. Jude children and their families. St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
It costs a lot for St. Jude to cure a child with cancer using the latest technologies and care. But because of donations, the price for patient families is $0. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for anything.
Many families come to St. Jude thinking it's like any other hospital. They expect to pay high fees to get their child the best care. They're overwhelmed with gratitude when they learn St. Jude works to save their child's life for free using world-class care.
Your donations make this possible and give parents hope.