A celebration of life reception will be held Saturday for NKyTribune Associate Editor and founder Gene Clabes who died Friday.
“We promised Gene a party, so here it is,” said Judy Clabes, editor of the NKyTribune and his wife of 54 years. “His is an accomplished and purposeful life that deserves a celebration.”
The event will be held on Saturday, 3-8 p.m., at Newcomer, 4350 Dixie Highway, Erlanger. There is plenty of free parking on site.
Gene Clabes
The event is free and open to the public.
The family invites the public to join in recognition of Gene Clabes’ life and come share your stories and your memories.
There will be food and drinks (including his favorite bourbons) and a special display of memorabilia from the various facets of this life — from his start as a sports columnist for the Henderson Gleaner while he was a student at Henderson County High School through his University of Kentucky Journalism School experience and his award-winning government reporting for The Evansville (Ind) Press and education reporting for The Evansville Courier.
Also included are displays of photos and awards and newspaper pages/headlines about his experiences in horse farming and training, his ownership of The Ludlow News Enterprise and the Recorder Newspapers, his teaching experience at Hampton University and his community recognitions and honors.
Clabes is a member of the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame and received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the UK College of Communications. He was a founder and editor for KyForward.com and of the NKyTribune.
He also served as president of the Florence Rotary, equine director of the Kentucky Equine Education Project, and as president of the Kentucky Press Association.
Clabes will be cremated and the family funeral service will be private.
But “the party” is open to all.
“We are a family of storytellers and we know a lot of great storytellers, so we are excited to visit with guests, hear their stories and their fond memories of our amazing husband, dad, granddad and friend,” said Jacob Clabes, his youngest son and editor of KyForward.
Joseph Clabes, his oldest son, agreed that his father would want everyone to join in and have a good time remembering the good times. “Having had a few days to share our own stories, we found that sharing the good times was the best way to heal and a great way to celebrate Dad’s life. We look forward to welcoming all his friends to the celebration.”
The family asks that instead of flowers that memorial contributions be made to The Northern Kentucky Tribune, 644 Braddock Court, Edgewood, KY. 41017 or made online here.
See the NKyTribune’s obituary for Gene Clabes here.
