Clyde Thierry

Clyde Vincent Thierry, affectionately known as “Van,” was born October 22, 1908 in Chataigner, Louisiana to Franklin D’Avy and Eleanor Thierry. He was raised in Beggs, Oklahoma until the age of 15 when he moved to Kansas City Kansas.  While in Kansas, he met and married Ella Mae Miles in September 1935 and remained married until her death in 1959.  Van leaves to mourn his passing, nine children.  Eight daughters, Daphne Payne of Lawrence Kansas, Sylvia Sykes (Abel) of Fairfield, California, Sonja Holbert of Kansas City, Sharon Buckner of Golden Valley, Minnesota, Rose Marie Sims (Nate) of Washington, D.C., Melanie Prince (Dwight) of Compton, California, Stephanie McIntosh (Larry) of Norwalk, California and Sondra Solish (Jon) of Beverly Hills, California.  One son, John Thierry, of Kansas City, Kansas, one brother, Abram D’avy (Mary) of Leesburg, Florida;  and host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was also the patriarch of 30 grandchildren, 51 great grandchildren and six great great grandchildren.  Van was an extremely versatile and multi-talented individual.  He taught himself to play the fiddle at age six, he played hymns in churches, for weddings and friends throughout his lifetime. He was a self taught tailor, and carpenter and he spoke French fluently, often reciting the ’Lord’s Prayer’ in French.  For him, there was no task that was unattainable.  In the late 1940’s, he was one of the fiddlers to play at square dances at the Tracy Center in Kansas City, Missouri.  In addition to his musical aspirations, he was a nationally recognized poet; winning the Golden Poet Award by “Who’s Who In Poetry” for his poem, “Forgotten and Left Behind” in 1989.   He was a proud participant in the 2008 election of President Barak Obama.  He was also an avid history buff and stayed abreast of all national and world events.  One of his favorite past times was having his morning coffee while he read the morning paper and watched CNN. 
Throughout his 101 years of raising his family, playing the fiddle and charming all the ladies, Van has earned the right to be called a legacy.  He left us with, his impassioned wisdom, humor, anecdotes, his love of life and his love of the arts.  He was an incredibly talented and creative man and he passed those wonderful talents along to his family, as is evident in all of his multi-talented off-spring. 
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Franklin D’avy and Eleanor Thierry, his uncle Claude Thierry, his sister and brother-in-law Wanda and Frank Walston.  His sisters Clemence D’avy, Josephine Cathey, and Leona D’Avy,  and his brothers Hugh D’avy and Charles D’avy, his cousins Ellen Stevens and Artie Hope.
He resided in Lawrence Kansas with his daughter, Daphne Payne for many years.  He was also a member of Strangers’ Rest Baptist Church in Kansas City, Kansas where he worshipped with his family and taught Sunday school. At some point in his life, he was a also member of the Mason’s Auxillary.
His philosophy in life was to treat yourself right, treat everybody right, help others and don’t think about it.
His last prayer was “Lord, let me have as much time as possible.”  His love for his family and his life was not something he was ever ready to give up.  He enjoyed his life and family so immensely.
We are very grateful to God for sharing him with us.  Because of him, we are who we are.