Edward “Eddie” M. Clear
In Loving Memory
Edward (Eddie) M. Clear
May 15, 1944 – March 18, 2022
Eddie was born in St. Louis to Marie and James Clear in the last year of World War II and was the second of five children. He attended Holy Rosary elementary school and graduated from Christian Brothers Academy in 1962. An avid athlete, Eddie conducted a life-long love affair with a variety of participation sports, most notably soccer and golf. In his youth, he played varsity soccer for CBC, club soccer with the renowned White Star soccer club, and professional soccer with the St. Louis Stars.
Well-known for his charm and offbeat sense of humor, Eddie was a natural comic who brought belly-shaking laughter to the many people he befriended during his life. He will long be remembered for his joie de vivre, for his robust absurdity, for always giving as good as he got in any exchange and for his natural generosity to family and friends.
Eddie married his first wife Joan in 1969 and sired 7 children in short order. He loved being a father and was extremely proud of his 4 sons and 3 lovely daughters. He was even more entranced by the 13 grandchildren who later enriched his life. Eddie was never happier than when surrounded by his children and grandchildren recounting stories of his past and theirs.
Eddie married again in 2002. His second wife, Barb, was the love of his life and was one of the best things that ever happened to Ed, providing him with great love, care, and companionship in his later years. They were devoted to each other and shared many happy times together. They lived on Nottingham in St. Louis Hills and regularly attended 6 a.m. Mass together at their nearby parish church.
Eddie is survived by his beloved Barb, by his seven childrenEdward (Kelly) Clear, Megan (Joe) Tocco, Matthew Clear, Timothy Clear, Kevin Clear, Molly (Ronnie) Reese, and Mary (Larry) Clear-Drexler; by his 13 grandchildren Rose, William, Henry and Lucy Clear; Allie, Libby, Maren, Nora, and ColinClear; Dominic and Anna Tocco; and Miles and Oliver Reese; and by his three surviving sisters Carol (Jim) Foushee, Katie (and Steve) Reimer and Mary Bridget Gruschow.
Eddie was proud to be the son of the late Jim and Marie Clear(Walde) and brother of the late Douglas Clear. He was a loyal husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. Treasured by all who loved him, Eddie will be greatly missed.
Visitation for Eddie will take place at St. Louis Cremation chapel, located at 2135 Chouteau Ave (63103) on Tuesday, March 22, from noon to 4:00 p.m. His memorial Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 23 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Gabriel church
My condolences to the family on your loss, I remember Eddie from Holy Rosary. He s in the same class as my brother, Jim Hundelt, and Kathy and I were in the same class. I remember Eddie as being very active in sports and was generally a nice guy.. I am so sorry ffor your loss, God Bless
Richard Hundelt
Rich and I are so sorry to hear of the passing of Ed (Eddie) he was such a very special friend to Rich, he has always shared so many memorable stories of Ed when they were growing up. Ed could always make you laugh. Even though they did not see each other very often they always called each other on their birthdays. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Rich & Cathy Bell
Sorry for your loss. I’ve known Eddie since our walnut park days of playing hoc-soc at walnut park grade school. Friendly, funny, and fantastic player. Proud to call him friend. Always enjoyed competing with Eddie over the years.
My heart goes out to Barb! The truest love of his life <3 from now until forever. He was my favorite out of the clan, I think. And even though I am far from that past life, and wasn't able to keep in touch. I will still very much miss him.
Please accept my deepest sympathies. Barb, you are in my thoughts and prayers. May all your sweet memories sustain you.
Matt, my Condolences to you and your family. May God bless all of you.
My deepest condolences to all the Clears – Eddie was one of a kind. I am so sorry to hear we have lost him. I haven’t seen him in a while but once you knew Eddie you never forgot him. God bless him and may he rest in peace.
I’m so sorry. Love and prayers to you and your family. Love Joyce
Our prayers`and Masses will be offered for Ed and his family.
Having grown up with the Clears, we became part of their family as they were of ours.
We remained close over the years and we have so many great memories of every member of the Clear family, including Grandma.
We sadly share your loss. May God bless all of you,
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Eddie was our comedic entertainment while working for TWA. I remember one time he was making fun of me for being slow and I stated I just had a baby! He joked that my kid was in college! One felt special when being picked on by Ed…always in fun but with acerbic wit, which told you he liked you.
Eddie attempted to teach me how to play golf, but we ended up just laughing at my awkward stance and form while I swung and missed the ball. Lots of laughs on the golf course.
After TWA, he would surprise me with a random phone call every so often, and we would pickup where we left off, always with laughter, and promising to see each other again soon. I was fortunate to know him and although he is gone, I know he would want us all to smile and remember how much he made us laugh. You will be sorely missed by many people my friend.
I met Eddie in 1965 after mass at Nativity Church in Walnut Park and we’ve been friends ever since. There were many facets to him, but he was, indeed, intensely loyal, hysterically funny and an outstanding athlete.
He loved Barb to the moon and back, and was so proud of his kids and grandkids.
I’ll miss him; he could always make me laugh.
Sorry to hear about Eddie. Your family is in our prayers.
Your friends,
John &Pat Kennedy and John Mansell from Holy Rosary grade school
(Ed’s sister Carol was Pat’s classmate in grade school.)
Matt and Tim,
Reading your father’s obituary I now know where both of you got your sense of humor. So sorry for your loss. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
I knew Ed from his time when he was my neighbor residing on Leola Avenue in St. Louis. What a character! Both he and Barb brought some life to the neighborhood.
What a player, what a character and what a truly, truly unique representative of St. Louis and in particular, St. Louis soccer. And you can be assured that many of us feel the same way especially Rudi Gutendorf, his coach for the Stars and George Mihaljevic his coach for White Star.You can be certain that he’s already telling stories with Bobby Kehoe. But what an absolute treasure Eddie Clear was and what a joy it was to know and be with him. My sincere condolences to his entire family and to Eddie, thanks for the memories.
My prayers are with you Barb. I always looked forward to seeing Eddie at the gym, he always had a joke to tell. Peace be with you.
I was so sorry to hear of Ed’s passing. He was a groomsman in mine and Buzz’s wedding and a true and funny friend! I had a long talk with him at the funeral for a mutual friend a year or two ago and it was like I had seen him yesterday! Heaven will be a much happier place with Eddie in it. Laurie Westfall
Sorry to hear about Eddie. He was instrumental in getting me a job at Anheuser-Busch where we (and Barb) worked together for a year or more. He was always quick to defend those who had worked under his supervision against some of the corporate nonsense and individuals who would impose comments /rules based on ego vs common sense. Always positive with endless energy. He was a good man and even though I haven’t seen him in 35 plus years, it always seemed he would have gladly welcomed a call at any time. Will miss him. He was a good one!
I recognized Eddie’s name from scanning the obituaries in the Post-Dispatch. That shows how special he was. We were in class together at Holy Rosary, and I hadn’t seen him since the fifth grade, 1954. I had heard about his soccer successes from time to time, though. He was well-liked in school. My condolences to his family.
My sincere condolences to Barb and family. My prayers are with you all. 🙏
Eddie , was a good friend and we worked at TWA together for years . His family was the light of his life . He could always make anyone laugh. He gave me my forever nick name (bucket head ) . For sure one of a kind . My thoughts and prayers go out to his family for their loss . May God give you peace . He was a good Man !!!
My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Clear family during this difficult time. Memories and stories of Eddie will forever keep him alive! Tell them frequently.
Yeats said “the good are always the merry.”
Eddie was both through a long life! Thanks for all that, and heartfelt condolences to his loving family.
To Kevin and the Clear Family:
My deepest sympathies on losing your loved one. I didn’t know Mr. Clear; however, his love of family, laughter, and faith came shining through in the beautifully written memorial for him. May your memories surround and comfort you during this difficult time.
Blessings,
Faye Toepfer
Eddie will be greatly missed by the “Early Morning” gang at St. Louis Fitness Club on Hampton.
Barb, you have my sincerest condolences. I am looking forward to seeing you at the gym as you continue you health and fitness routine. Let’s cherish our fondest memories of Eddie.