Longtime member Jerry R. Clemens of Granby, MO passed away on November 6,
2008. Jerry was born on October 29, 1935 in Joplin, MO. He is survived by
his wife Jean Sturgis Clemens whom he married on Feb 11, 1955 in Joplin,
MO. Jerry was a talented artist and master engraver. He worked for
Hallmark cards for 20 years before retiring and working for Universal for
another 10 years. He was a member of AQHA since 1969. He was also a
member of KQHA, MQHA and NEKQHA over the years and sponsored a high point
youth award with NEKQHA in memory of Jane Baldwin a former youth
competitor.

Jerry was best known in the horse business as being the breeder and owner
of Birthday Step a 1970 bay stallion sired by Birthday Star and out of
Patty Step a daughter of Big Step. In the show ring Birthday Steo earned
40 halter and 16 performance points awarding him an AQHA Register Of Merit
and an AQHA Champion. In his 20 foal crops he sired Register of Merit
winners in the show ring and on the race track.

From 3 starters on the race track his foal Birthday Big Shot earned $621 in
earnings and his Register Of Merit with a speed index of 85. Another foal,
Birthday Beauty earned a speed index of 73.

In the show ring his foals earned 14.5 halter points and 24 performance
points in the open division. In the amateur division they earned 22
performance points. Billy Bar Step, a 1975 gelding earned his open
Register Of Merit. Another gelding Birthday Venture earned an amateur
Register Of Merit in 1986. A mare named Sheza Sadie Step earned an open
Register Of Merit and also had $326.00 of earnings in the cutting arena
through NCHA competition. Another stallion named Birthday Stepbonanza
earned .5 halter points.

Jerry also bred a full sister to Birthday Step named Birthday Patty who
earned a total of 59 halter points and received her AQHA Superior Halter
Horse Award in 1975.