By Brittany Woodby

BWOODBY@CULLMANTIMES.COM

Two victims of an Ohio plane crash have been identified as Cullman couple Philip Clemmons, 65, and Pat Clemmons, 64.

Cullman County Coroner Gary Murphree said he has been in contact with officials in Ohio and the medical examiner should finish the investigation Wednesday or Thursday. Moss-Service Funeral Home will announce arrangements later.

Ohio Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Sgt. Jeremy Landis said Monday Clemmons’ plane crashed in a wooded area in Morgan County Monday afternoon.

According to flight records from the Federal Aviation Administration, Clemmons’ plane took off from Ferguson Field in Huntington, WV Monday at 10:22 a.m., and was scheduled to land at Greater Rochester International Airport at Rochester, NY. However, the FAA never acknowledged Clemmons’ arrival.

Clemmons’ flight plan indicated his final destination was scheduled to be Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, where he and his wife had just purchased a new flat.

“They had kind of struck out on a new adventure in their lives,” said Perry Warren, who knew the Clemmons for 40 years. “At 63 years old, they decided to live part-time in Canada.”

Twenty years ago, Philip and his brother, Terry, founded Elk River Safety Belt Company in Cullman. Pat was also co-owner of the business and head of the company’s customer service department. Elk River, Inc.’s operations grew to include a plant in Canada.

“They lived here in Cullman, but he had a business in Montreal, very similar to Elk River, manufacturing safety equipment,” Warren said. “They would go to Montreal, come home and stay a week in and head back.”

Warren, who owns Warren Wholesale along with his wife, Kitty, said Pat had just visited him at the store Friday, where she was hoping to get Kitty’s help decorating the Clemmons’ new home in Canada.

“She was all excited and wanted Kitty to help her decorate with photographs,” Warren said. “They sat there and talked for hours. … I’ve never see Patsy not in a decent or good mood, she never got short with anybody.”

“He was one of the industry leaders,” said Dale Greer, friend of the Clemmons and assistant director of the Cullman Economic Development Agency. Greer said though the Clemmons’ business expanded to Canada, Philip and Patsy never failed to share with others about their hometown.

“They were very pro-Cullman,” Greer said. “Philip never failed to mention the attributes of Cullman to anyone interested in coming here or to industries who were looking at the area.”

The Clemmons were both active members of St. John’s Evangelical Protestant Church and involved in the community. Patsy organized Oktoberfest activities for several years while Philip advocated animal rights as a member of the Cullman Area Animal Welfare Association.

“He came to meetings and was adamant about animal welfare,” CAAWA President Linda Morgan said. “The first time I found out he was a pilot, he was wearing a T-shirt with planes on it. I asked him ‘what’s the significance of your shirt?’ and he told me he was a pilot. I said, ‘I’m a pilot too.’ They were super nice people, and very, very much involved in working against animal cruelty.”

“Patsy was the first to come out with bails of hay dressed up as people,” Warren said of her Oktoberfest involvement. “She was always out doing things for the community.”

Philip was also a champion for cancer awareness. Having survived both larynx cancer and lung cancer, Philip was awarded the Life Inspiration Award from the American Cancer Society in 2001 and was the speaker at the organization’s awards banquet.

His battles with cancer did not keep Philip and Patsy from exploring life.

“Phil was always kind of adventurous,” Warren said. “He used to fly hot air balloons and get people to go up in hot air balloons. Patsy just went along with him. When they moved to Canada, that’s when he started flying. It was the only way they got back and forth and I guess he thought it would be easier to fly themselves.”

“He had a great sense of humor,” Greer said. “He used it to deliver his opinions in a soft manner. He and Pat had a great relationship. … My heart goes out to the family.”

“I always liked Pat’s personality. Phil’s, too,” Warren said. “They were so pleasant. … We’ll miss them.”

“They were two of the finest people I’ve ever known,” Murphree said. “I just love all of them … they’re great people.”

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.