Corey Thomas Clemenz

Corey Thomas Clemenz, 33, of Columbia, South Carolina suddenly left this earthly life on August 7, 2023.

Corey was born in West Columbia, South Carolina to Layne and Rebecca Clemenz. He entered his eternal rest from Nashville, Tennessee, his adopted home.

Corey had a generous and loving spirit. His genuine and contagious smile welcomed all he met. He truly never met a stranger.

Corey attended school in Irmo, SC. He graduated from Dutch Fork High School. He attended the University of South Carolina.  He loved music and participated in marching band throughout high school. He played with percussion groups including Palmetto Percussion. He taught percussion and worked with drum lines at several South Carolina High Schools. He also worked with musical groups in Texas and Florida. He relocated to Tennessee in 2016. He worked in bookkeeping and accounting at several luxury motor sports businesses in Nashville.

Corey was deeply intelligent, generous, inquisitive, full of joy and humor. He was spiritual and frequently addressed his “Father God” and Lord in prayer.  He impacted many lives during his time in Tennessee and helped others freely. He had no fear of new challenges and experiences. He enjoyed meeting people and all his work experiences. He appreciated his work families and forged many bonds with his co-workers.

Corey always loved and was guided by his strong connection with his family. He is survived by his mother, Rebecca Clemenz; his father, Layne Clemenz; his sisters, Melanie, and Mariah Clemenz; his grandmother, Carol Clemenz; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was predeceased by his grandparents Frederick and Dixie Clemenz, George Elden and Jacqueline Lucas, and Cousin Jade Dunbar.

Corey was generous with his worldly and spiritual possessions; he was an optimistic and joyous soul. He loved all the creatures in the world. He cherished his “twin boys”, Dart and Melon, his cats he fostered and then adopted in Nashville. He appreciated the beauty of this world. He enjoyed nature, fishing, travelling, biking, driving, and boating.

Corey walked this world and heard the rhythm of life in each step and encounter. He was ever grateful for his spiritual Lord and Father God. He worked for forgiveness and knew of the promise of life everlasting. He embraced and held dear his old and new relationships. His spirit has joined others who have left this Earth. There is joy, love, and peace in his new home as he carried these traits with him and shared his unique spirit with all he knew in this life.

Corey had an ease in his actions and thoughts. He could dance, cook a meal, whistle, play the drum set and compose. He enjoyed listening to National Public Radio while driving, as well as music he enjoyed. He enjoyed chairing meetings and learning from other’s experiences.  He helped many men through his mentoring and sponsoring. Discovery Place in Burns, Tennessee was a place he held dear. His favorite book was The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. He liked playing cribbage, chess, Rummikub and family card games.  He embraced the “Salutation to the Dawn” as a prayer his grandfather loved. He was both thoughtful and spontaneous. He embraced each day and every fellow traveler in this our God’s creation. 

Look to this Day, for it is Life ~ by Kalidasa

Look to this Day,
for it is Life – the very Life of Life.
In its brief course lie all the verities
and realities of your existence:
the Bliss of Growth,
the Glory of Action,
the Splendor of Beauty.
For yesterday is already a dream
and tomorrow is only a vision;
but today, well-lived,
makes every yesterday a dream of happiness
and every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this Day.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 3:30 PM CST at Discovery Place at 1635 Spencer Mill Rd., Burns, TN 37029. Dress is casual. Virtual services will be available; please contact Discovery Place for access.

In South Carolina, a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church, Columbia, SC on Wednesday December 20, 2023 at  5:30 PM EST. A meal in the Parish Life Center with remembrances will be held after the services. All are welcome; dress is casual.

Corey leaves a legacy of faith, hope, and love to all those he loved. He was guided the Holy Spirit and has left this world to enter the enteral home of Heaven. The family appreciates the many kind words and gestures of those that Corey's life touch.

Nashville Cremation Center is honored to be entrusted with handling Mr. Clemenz's arrangements. Please visit his guestbook to leave a thoughtful note for the family.