Otice Neal Clements

A celebration of life for Dr. Otice Neal Clements, O.D. will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Gillette Memorial Chapel with burial to follow in Mt. Pisgah Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m on Friday, March 7, 2025 at Gillette Memorial Chapel.

Dr. Otice Neal Clements, O.D. passed away at home on March 3, 2025 with his wife Margo at his side. Otice was born on August 11, 1947 in Belle Fourche, South Dakota to Donald and Colleen (Jones) Clements. He was the second of four children. He grew up on various ranches in Montana and Wyoming. From that hardscrabble beginning of hard work, he learned skills that would carry him through the rest of his life. His was the true American story, working from humble beginnings through single-minded determination. He never forgot his cowboy roots and loved to tell stories about his early years and the uncles he admired. He loved music and as a teen played guitar in a band with his brother, Gene. In high school he excelled at football and track, and thought the world of Coach John Alberta.

After graduation from Campbell County High School, Otice married Margo Ann Bennick on April 8, 1966 in Deadwood, South Dakota. The couple would work together for the next several years to fulfill Otice’s dream of becoming an Optometrist. He worked summers as a roustabout in the oil field and Margo worked at Gillette Bakery for Connie Allen. Side hustles and odd jobs led to his graduations from Sheridan College, Black Hills State University, and Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon where he graduated with his Doctor of Optometry degree. It was during those years that their oldest son Kevin Eugene was born. After graduation the family moved to Yuba City, California and later back to Gillette, where he opened his own practice. They were blessed by the addition of another son, Dustin Neal, and their daughter Toni Leigh. He and Margo retired in 2015.

Otice had many interests that included water sports, rock climbing, hunting, livestock, the Wyoming Cowboys, and was a private pilot. He was a very proud member of the Cowboy Joe Club and rarely missed a game. He was a skilled craftsman who built the family home in Gillette and a log cabin in Crook County near Keyhole State Park. Otice was a great storyteller and enjoyed a visit with anyone with time to listen.

Otice is survived by his wife Margo of 58 years and his children Kevin (Leslee) Clements, Dustin (Julie) Clements, and Toni (Daniel) Hostrup. He leaves behind five grandchildren - Dalton, Kane, Libby, Addison, and Brooklyn. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Otice was preceded in death by his parents Donald and Colleen Clements, sister Esther Clark, and brother Gene Clements.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Otice Clements’ name to the Cowboy Joe Club at the University of Wyoming. Tax-deductible donations may be sent to Cowboy Joe Club, 1000 E. University Ave., Dept. 3414, Laramie, WY 82071; or online at cowboyjoeclub.com.

Condolences may be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel 210 West 5th Street, Gillette, WY 82716.