Obituary of Clarence W. Schrader, Jr.

Clarence W. (“Skip”) Schrader Jr., born January 6, 1934, passed away on Thursday, March 21,2024. Skip was the son of the late Clarence W. and Anna (Zarske) Schrader, (the only son among 6 full and 2 half-sisters). In 1951, at the age of 17, he began a 22-year career in military service, enlisting in the US Navy. He was a Korean War Veteran, serving on minesweepers there and also as part of Mine Division 85, US Sixth Fleet. While stationed in Davisville RI, in support of the Seabees MCB, he met his first wife, the late Mary Ann (Dutra) Schrader. He finished his career at the Naval Reserve Training Station in Oakland (Pittsburgh), PA, achieving the rank of CPO E-7. Besides naval service, Skip pursued a career in Education, earning his MA in Education in 1982. He taught NJROTC as well as GED classes for enlisted personnel. For twelve years he ran the MWR and Navy Campus College Counseling Service programs at the Newport, RI, Naval Station. His legacy of service exhibited duty, commitment to excellence, a welcoming demeanor and excitement to help others along the path of personal improvement.

Skip’s greatest legacy was as an amazing husband, father and “Poppi” to his many grand and great-grandchildren. He was a devoted husband of 55 years to his first wife, the late Mary Ann (Dutra) Schrader and almost 5 years to the wife of his later years, Phyllis Schrader of Davenport, FL. He was also beloved by his children, Mary F. (Schrader) and James L. Dick of Saunderstown, RI and Joseph C. and Sandra J. (Callanan) Schrader of Lancaster, PA. He will also be immensely missed by his grandchildren Mary R. (Schrader) and Samuel Miller of Lancaster, PA; Joseph M and Ali (Bogardus) Schrader of Johnston, RI; and Alisa C. (Schrader) and Ryan Krause of Lancaster, PA. Finally, he was adored by his great-grandchildren - Levi, Wesley, Hannah and Alicen Miller of Lancaster, PA; Chloe Krause of Lancaster, PA; and Joseph C. Schrader of Johnston, RI. His family will be forever thankful for the time, energy, and love that he gave all of us; teaching us everything from throwing a ball, to riding a bike, to swimming, to commitment and duty to country and most of all to serving and placing our faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Funeral services will be held at Oak Ridge Funeral Care, Haines City, FL, on Wednesday, April 3rd at 11am, followed by a reception at the High Vista Community Center, Davenport, FL, at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to any of the following: 1) The Alzheimer’s Association -Central and Northern Florida Chapter at 14010 Roosevelt Blvd #709, Clearwater, FL 33762; 2) The American Cancer Society at PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741; or 3) The Community Christian Church of High Vista, Davenport, FL.