James L. `Jim` Clement
James L. `Jim` Clement , Age 85
James L. “Jim” Clement, age 85, of Baraboo, passed away on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, surrounded by his loving family.
Jim was born to Harold and Lois (Waffenschmidt) Clement on December 31, 1938 in Baraboo. In 1956, he received his pilot license at the age of 18. He graduated from Baraboo High School, Class of 1957. He continued to Blackhawk Technical College in Janesville and received his A & P License. On April 29, 1964 he married Donna Allert in Ironton. Airplanes and flying became his passion. He built multiple award-winning Wittman Tailwind airplanes earning recognition as an expert in the field. Jim also loved fast cars; building his first hot rod from scratch as a high school shop project and went on to build many many more hot rods.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Donna; his children, Debbie (Jerry) Cavins, Eugene Clement; his sisters, Sandy (Roger) Vervelde, Julie (Dennis) Shanks; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Gary Clement and his granddaughter, Sabrina Clement.
Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Private inurnment will be held at Walnut Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the family.
Condolences
James Howell April 30, 2024
Friend Glendale , California
Donna and family, My sincere condolences for your loss and “our” loss of such a great man. I am truly honored to have spent such fun times visiting you and Jim , along with Jim Rust these past summers in Baraboo and in Arizona. Owning Jim’s number 3 Tailwind is now more special to me than ever. Not only was Jim Clement an amazing craftsman, he was also a class act as a human being, mentor and friend to so many of us. Rest in peace Jim Howell
Kevin Wittenauer April 30, 2024
Friend CAPE Coral , Florida
Condolences to the family. He was a good man.
James Ziegler April 29, 2024
Friend Merrimac , Wisconsin
Donna our thoughts and prayers go out to you he was a great friend ?
Michael capener April 29, 2024
Friend Lac du flambeau , Wisconsin
Was so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. We grew up together and he was like a big brother to me. He got me interested in soap box derby, go carting . He always helped me with my snowmobiles and cars. Jim will be greatly missed Mike and Diane Capener
Shandra (Chatten) Leary April 30, 2024
Niece Rockville , Maryland
Aunt Donna, Debbie and Eugene: I’m so sorry for your loss and we are thinking of you. May your fond and happy memories of Uncle Jim bring you comfort. Love, Shandra
John Balfanz April 29, 2024
Friend Pr Du Sac 53578 , Wisconsin
Sorry for your loss.
Mike & Sally Corso April 30, 2024
Friends Twin Lakes , Wisconsin
Dearest Donna & Family, Jim has made an everlasting imprint on our hearts. Mike so enjoyed his time with Jim; laughing and gleening knowledge from him. Especially the "proper way to order lunch at Culver's or Burger King" ! Lol. I will never forget him telling me about your love story. ?? How he had his eye on the prettiest girl in town and that you wouldn't ride in his car unless your girlfriends could come with too. He said you were worth the wait. He spoke these words with such a twinkle in his eyes and a grin on his face. It was the sweetest thing I'd ever heard! He loved that you were his girl. Love, never ends.... God bless you all, until you meet again.
Dennis and Penny Quandt April 29, 2024
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
Our thousand prayers go out to you all at this most difficult time.??
Dan McDaniel April 30, 2024
Freind NEW HAVEN , Indiana
Suprised and so sorry to hear. A big loss to all.
Dave conrad April 30, 2024
Friend Wausau , Wisconsin
The news of Jim’s passing really hit me hard. I could talk with him about anything airplane and he had good solid information to share. Deepest sympathy to family, time of death is never easy. Also to his family of friends, we’ve lost a mountain of a man. Prayers to the Clement family, I will never forget him. Thank you Donna, for the care and love you gave him over the 60 years of your marriage.
Kimberly Prust April 30, 2024
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
I am so so sorry. Sending great big hugs to you all.
Dion Dyer April 30, 2024
Friend Dallas , Texas
My sincere condolences to Donna and family for your loss. Jim's, (and Donna's) unselfish and dedicated support for all his friends in the aviation community, and their admiration and respect in return, cannot be over-stated!
Red Hamilton April 30, 2024
flying friend Fort Bragg , California
Jim was the nexus around which the Tailwind group functioned
Red Hamilton April 30, 2024
flying friend Fort Bragg , California
Jim was the nexus around which the Tailwind group functioned
Donna & Michael Richardson April 30, 2024
Tailwind builder Greenville , Kentucky
So very sorry for your loss. May God's comfort be with Donna and family. Godspeed, Jim.
Paul Nuss April 30, 2024
Tailwind builder and admirer Martinsburg , Pennsylvania
Condolences to Jim's wife Donna and family. Jim was an inspiration and great help to me in fulfilling my dream of building and flying a Wittman Tailwind. He was well known and totally respected by all in our Tailwind community, and will be truly missed.
Diane & Dale Hayden April 30, 2024
Friend Wisconsin Rapids , Wisconsin
We have greatly enjoyed getting to know Jim & Donna (& Eugene) over the past ten years since we have been seeing them every winter at IHA in Salome, AZ. We have lived only an hour north of them in Wisconsin for 50 years and we wish we had met sooner. We are old enough to realize that when someone like Jim dies the world loses a lot of knowledge and expertise as well as a kind and goodhearted person. His friends and family will miss him very much because he was unique and had special talents and passions that was much valued by his flying buddies as well as his family. We know he will be greatly missed by all but not more than by his family. Condolences to the family. May your memories comfort you. Knowing that Jim is no longer suffering is a great comfort to all of us.
Skip and Jerry Lovell April 30, 2024
Friends Fort Bragg , California
Donna , Eugene and Debbie. Jim was the Best. Forty years of friendship and hospitality. Thanks Skip.
Alex Frizzell April 30, 2024
Good Friend Auburn , AL
Donna, Karen and I send our heart felt condolences to you and the family. Meeting you guys at Baraboo meant a lot to us. Jim was a huge inspiration for me finishing my plane and I also shared a fond respect for his mechanical ability as I too loved Hot Rods us "Gearheads" have a lot in common. He's earned his Golden Wings now and flying high in blue skies. May God bless and keep ya'll safe
Peter Dawson April 30, 2024
Friend Australia
Jim, Although I never met you in person, you always made time for anyone that needed a hand or explanation. Thanks for forging the path in the Tailwind world. Steve Wittman designed an incredible aircraft, but your mods helped make it cleaner, faster and more enjoyable. You set the standard for building one now. That in itself says volumes about you. We will continue to carry the mantle. Thank you Thinking of you and your family. From the Tailwind community in Australia.
Nick and Paula Plishka April 30, 2024
Friend Merrimac , Wisconsin
Our heartfelt sympathies to Donna and family. Jim was an awesome man. Thinking of you all
Larry Howell May 01, 2024
Pilot &Tailwind Friend Terrell , Texas
Dear Clements Family, so sad learning about Jim’s passing.. Donna thank you for assisting Jim in putting up with all of Jim’s pilot acquaintances and friends. I have spent several hours with Jim over the many years and always have appreciated his kind heart. I’ have a lot of stories of times with Jim I’ll never forget. My wife Gwen and I pray for you all at this time of loss. I wish I could fix that for you! As many have said know that Jim meant a lot to many of us outside your family but in his pilot family thank you for sharing him with us.
James N. Craig III April 30, 2024
Friend and Tailwind owner (N99MA) Powell , Wyoming
Dear Donna and Family It deeply saddens me to hear of Jim's passing. Please accept my sympathies and condolences. Jim was a grand fellow and master of his craft. I remember the day I came to Baraboo to pick up N99MA, and both of yours and Jim's graciousness while staying overnight at the house prior to taking N99MA home to Delaware. Jim truly was a master craftsman, of which I can attest to after owning N99MA for twenty years. I will miss him but he will always be with me and my flying memories. I'm sure there is a Tailwind in Heaven being constructed as I write, or maybe a hotrod. God Bless, Happy Landing's Jim. James Craig
Keith Lynn Klos April 30, 2024
Friend Holmen , Wisconsin
I am so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. He was a good friend and mentor to me and an inspiration to all of us in his Tailwind Family. He left the world a better place and I am thankful that Donna and his family were willing to share his time with me and others. God Bless you in this time of sorrow and please know that he made a difference in many lives, mine included. Keith
Dudley Smith May 01, 2024
acquaintance Arlington , Texas
A wonderful human being and teacher that shared his knowledge and enthusiasm of aviation and building aircraft. He was a guiding light in the darkness that, with his knowledge and expertise, lifted many of up to achieve our dreams. He is, and will be, missed.
Randy and Roxanne Boyd May 01, 2024
Friends Buckeye , Arizona
Sorry to hear of Jim's passing, he will be missed. We are so glad we stopped by this winter in Salome and had the enjoyable last visit with Jim and you. You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Bruce Butts May 02, 2024
Friend Dublin , Ohio
Donna and family, Jim was a generous man with his time and passion for those of us that knew him through our shared interest in Tailwinds. Jim was the inspiration for me to build my own and he was always available to help with a difficult problem. We will remember Jim fondly for as long as we fly and as we gather our Tailwinds before and at Oshkosh. Blue skies and Tailwinds forever for Jim. May God comfort you in your sorrow and help you to remember the love that you shared.
Isaac Solomon May 02, 2024
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
Donna and family, my sincere condolences. Jim was very kind to me and helped me many times. I was in awe of his knowledge of airplanes and his craftsmanship, his work ethics, and his generosity in helping others.
Pat Gallus May 03, 2024
Friend Merrimac , Wisconsin
Donna I am so sorry about Jim’s passing. You have our deepest sympathy.
Peter Pretorius May 08, 2024
Tailwind Builder / Flyer Caboolture South QLD
I am so sorry for your loss