Clyde Wendell Mudgett, Sr. passed away at his home in Hoquiam on February 19, 2025, at the age of 84. He was born on November 22, 1940, in Klamath Falls, Oregon to parents Lawrence Mudgett and Beatrice Davis. After high school, he married Larlie Ann Townsend on March 2, 1968. He worked for many years in the timber industry as a log truck driver.
Clyde has numerous hobbies including gardening, clam digging with his family, archery, and basically anything to do with the outdoors. He also enjoyed going to the casino, watching UFC fights with his family and friends, relaxing by the fire and making smores, going on road trips and listening to his favorite Elvis songs, having a cold Budweiser with his faithful companions by his side- his dog, Buddy and his cat, Jingles-, or just hanging out in his mancave.
One of his most favorite pastimes was fishing. He fished in the ocean and nearly every river, stream, creek, lake, and pond in Grays Harbor County. He always kept his tacklebox and fishing pole on hand, just in case an opportunity came along. He was constantly meeting other fisherman along the way and always left having gained a new friend and fishing buddy. For Clyde, it was all about the experience and was happy whether he caught his limit or didn't get so much as a single bite. He was very disappointed when the Chehalis River was no longer stocked with sturgeon, as he had looked forward to sharing the experience of the fight with his grandchildren.
Clyde was also an avid hunter, armed with either his 7mm or his bow and arrows. He had sixth sense when it came to finding wild game and loved teaching others how to spot even the smallest things that would indicate that an animal was close by. He shot his largest buck in 2021 with a perfectly placed shot through the heart at 15 yards. Clyde has always wanted a shoulder mount of his trophy buck, so when he finally bagged the big one, Donnie and Angie Gerber worked with Jack Adams to have the taxidermy done and fulfill Clyde's lifelong dream. Every morning, Clyde would walk past it and say "Hello, Bucky!"
He loved camping with his friends (some of his best buddies were Keith Olson, Craig Allison, Allen, Chef Al, and the military boys from the Humptulips), telling stories and sharing his famous fry bread and chili. Most of his adventures were with his best friend and son, Clyde Mudgett, Jr. He was loved and will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.
He is survived by his loving wife, Larlie Ann (Townsend) Mudgett; son, Clyde W. Mudgett, Jr. of Malone, Washington; daughters, Beatrice Gerber of Hoquiam, Washington, Saundra Leslie of Elma, Washington, Delight Donais of Aberdeen, Washington, and adopted daughter, Charmaigne Messer; brothers, Charles and Wayne Mudgett, both of Aberdeen; sisters, Aileen Gillespie of Vancouver, Washington, Velma Tuck of Aberdeen, and Ruthie Bergeron of Louisiana; as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Beatrice Mudgett; brothers, Walter and Roland Mudgett; and sisters, Dorothy Martinez and Nadine Turner.
A celebration of life will be held at The Lions Club in Ocean Shores, Washington on Saturday March 22nd from 3:00pm to 6:00pm.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Harrison Family Mortuary.