Silsbee says goodbye to Ira Clutter
Associated Press
SILSBEE, Dec. 29 - A light blue poster board at the head of the chapel displayed mementos of Ira Clutter's too-short life.
Photographs chronicling his 6 years, bits of artwork, his perfect attendance ribbon from Robinson Elementary and even a diminutive dark blue clip-on tie were arranged in memory of Ira, who was mourned Saturday by an overflow crowd of more than 200 at the Farmer Funeral Home chapel.
Ira's body was recovered from the bottom of Possum Kingdom Lake on Wednesday after a five-day search of the surrounding state park after the little southeast Texas boy wandered from his family during a hike.
Ed Caswell, an elder with the Clutter family's Jehovah's Witness hall in Silsbee, was the only speaker during the memorial service. He said the Clutters often went camping, in part to show Ira and his four siblings the Earth that God provided.
Caswell noted that Ira's faith was evident early on.
"Ira began to talk about Jehovah God from a very young age," said Caswell, who frequently referred to scripture during a 45-minute talk.
Hundreds of searchers combed the rough terrain and deep waters at Possum Kingdom State Park in the search for Ira, though hopes were dimmed quickly because of plunging temperatures last weekend.
His father, Randy Clutter, believes Ira probably veered onto trail while they continued ahead in the 1,500-acre park, about 60 miles west of Fort Worth.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department spokeswoman Kristen Everett has said it appears Ira, who could not swim, fell into the lake from a large rock just outside the park's boundaries. He was found in 24 feet of water.
A book in the funeral home was provided for mourners to share memories of Ira, and several passages described a happy, polite, faithful little boy.
"He always had the biggest grins when we said we'd stop at Donut Palace," read one entry. "Jehovah is proud of that little minister."
Randy Clutter, who along with his family shook hands with well-wishers arriving and departing the service, said faith has allowed him to deal with the tragedy and keep his family strong. Still, he said he's not immune to the pain and sense of loss.
"I don't think I've ever wanted anything as badly as to be with my son," Clutter said.