Who Is Ray Moore Clower? The Life, Legacy, and Family Story of Jerry Clower’s Eldest Son

Ray Moore Clower is remembered as a devoted Mississippi educator, respected football coach, and the eldest son of legendary Southern comedian Howard Gerald “Jerry” Clower. While his father became one of the most beloved humorists in American history, Ray carved out his own meaningful path far from the spotlight—building a life rooted in faith, family, and service. His story is one of commitment to teaching, quiet influence, and generational Mississippi heritage. Over three decades, he earned admiration from thousands of students, colleagues, and community members who saw him not as the son of a famous man, but as a leader and mentor in his own right. This biography explores his origins, upbringing, church life, family relationships, career, and his lasting impact on the communities he served.

Quick Bio

Early Life and Family Background

Ray Moore Clower was born on February 14, 1953, in Clarksdale, Mississippi, into a deeply rooted Southern family whose lineage spans generations across Amite, Pike, Coahoma, and Yazoo counties. He spent most of his childhood in Yazoo City, where his father, already gaining a reputation as a gifted storyteller, was building the foundation of the career that would eventually make him a national name. Yet despite the growing fame of Jerry Clower, Ray’s early life was grounded, traditional, and strongly influenced by the values of rural Mississippi.

His upbringing blended the closeness of an everyday Southern household with the unique realities of being the eldest son of a man who would later be known across America. Still, the Clower home emphasized humility, Christian faith, and service over celebrity. Ray grew up surrounded by extended family, many of whom lived nearby and contributed to the strong sense of heritage that shaped his worldview.

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Education and Academic Journey

Ray completed his early schooling in Yazoo City, where he was remembered as friendly, community-minded, and involved. His participation in school and local activities reflected the supportive, faith-centered environment in which he was raised. Although public sources do not document higher education, Ray maintained strong ties to his high school, even attending his 40th class reunion shortly before his death—a testament to his lasting appreciation for the community that shaped him.

What stands out is not a list of formal academic credentials, but rather the way Ray carried his education into his calling. His long and successful career as a teacher and coach demonstrates a man who valued learning, structure, leadership, and mentorship. Through teaching, he became a pivotal figure in shaping young minds across the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Parents

Father: Howard Gerald “Jerry” Clower

Ray’s father, Jerry Clower, was one of the most iconic figures in Southern entertainment. Known as “The Mouth of Mississippi,” Jerry rose to national fame with his country storytelling rooted in rural life, faith, and comedic brilliance. He became a Grand Ole Opry star, released more than two dozen comedy albums, wrote bestselling books, and earned a permanent place in American comedy history.

Jerry’s background influenced Ray deeply. Born in 1926 in Liberty, Mississippi, Jerry served in the U.S. Navy during World War II before graduating from Mississippi State University with a degree in agriculture. He worked as a fertilizer salesman before “backing into” a comedy career in his 40s—proof that success can arrive unexpectedly and late in life.

Despite fame, Jerry maintained strong Christian values and a grounded family life. Ray inherited his father’s commitment to faith, community, integrity, and service, though he chose a much quieter path than the spotlight of show business.

Mother: Doris Homerline Wells

Ray’s mother, Doris Homerline Wells, came from a long-established Mississippi family with deep roots in Amite County. She was known for her grace, privacy, faith, and dedication to her husband and children. Married to Jerry since 1947, Homerline maintained the family’s spiritual foundation and preserved their sense of normalcy despite the rising celebrity around them.

Ray remained close to his mother throughout his life and continued to honor her quiet strength long after Jerry’s passing. He often spoke publicly about her preference for privacy, emphasizing the dignity and stability she brought to their home.

Siblings and Extended Family

Ray grew up with three younger sisters—Amy Clower Elmore, Sue Clower Hall, and Katy Clower Johnson—all of whom remained close to him throughout his life. Their marriages extended the Clower family into several Mississippi communities, including Clinton, Madison, and beyond.

His extended family included grandparents from both the Clower and Wells lines, stretching back through multiple generations in Mississippi and Texas. His ancestry traced through Otha Carl Clower, Jacqueline Mabel Burns, Homer Ebenezer Wells, and Eleanor Parker, connecting him to a broad, historic Southern lineage.

Career and Professional Life

Early Teaching Foundations

Ray’s professional journey began in education, a field where he would ultimately dedicate more than 30 years of his life. His early years as a teacher reflected a natural gift for guiding young people with patience, empathy, and firmness.

Gulfport High School Career (25 Years)

Ray spent twenty-five years at Gulfport High School, where he balanced two key roles:

• High school football coach
• Classroom teacher in various subjects

In addition to football coaching, he taught Civics and Driver’s Education at Bayou View Junior High, exposing hundreds of students to the importance of community engagement and responsible citizenship.

Students frequently described Ray as one of their most impactful teachers—firm when necessary but deeply encouraging. His presence on the field and in the classroom helped shape many students’ futures.

Baker High School (5 Years)

Before his long tenure at Gulfport, Ray taught for five years at Baker High School, where he sharpened his early teaching skills and discovered his passion for coaching.

Community Reputation as an Educator

Ray’s reputation was built not on fame, but on influence. He became a mentor to countless young people, many of whom cited his wisdom, calm leadership, and fatherly guidance as life-changing. His students remembered him as a favorite teacher, a patient coach, and a steady presence whose impact carried far beyond the classroom.

Faith, Church Involvement, and Community Leadership

Faith was central to Ray’s identity. As a lifelong member of East Fork Baptist Church, he was deeply involved in its ministry. His roles included:

• Sunday School teacher
• Music leader
• Active committee member
• Faithful servant of the church community

He approached each role with humility and consistency. Church members recalled his gentle leadership, devotion to scripture, and willingness to serve wherever needed. Ray’s spiritual commitment was a natural extension of the values he was raised with and passed on to his own family.

Marriage and Personal Life

Ray married Chris Clower, with whom he shared a stable, loving life in East Fork, Mississippi. Their marriage was grounded in mutual respect, shared faith, and dedication to parenting. Ray kept his private life truly private—never seeking attention and always placing his family’s well-being above public recognition.

Ray Moore Clower Children and Family Life

Ray and Chris had three children:

• Chantel Hormuth
• Sarah Escala
• Wesley Burns Clower (deceased)

Ray’s role as a father was defined by involvement, support, and faith. Losing his son Wesley in 2008 was one of the deepest heartbreaks of his life. Nevertheless, he remained a foundation for his family and continued to honor Wesley’s memory in his daily life.

Ray also enjoyed being a grandfather. His grandchildren—Eli Graham, Tyler Clark, Sirela Escala, and Fisher Moore Hormuth—were an important part of his final years.

Connection to Father’s Legacy

After Jerry’s death in 1998, Ray became one of the protectors of his father’s public legacy. He shared insights into the family’s life, defended his mother’s privacy, and helped support the Jerry Clower Museum in Amite County. Though he lived outside the spotlight, he ensured that the world remembered Jerry not only as a comedian, but as a Christian, a husband, and a father.

Physical Appearance and Personality

While no public records describe Ray’s physical appearance, accounts from students and acquaintances paint a clear picture of his personality. He was calm, steady, and genuine—a man whose presence brought reassurance. He exemplified Southern warmth, humility, and quiet strength.

Net Worth and Lifestyle

Ray did not live a celebrity lifestyle, nor did he measure success by material wealth. His income came from his decades-long career as a Mississippi educator and coach. His life reflected middle-class values grounded in service, family, and faith. No verified reports of his net worth exist, and none are needed to understand the value he added to his community.

Health, Final Years, and Death

Ray’s health declined in his later years, and on November 27, 2011, he passed away at the Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center in McComb, Mississippi. He was fifty-eight years old. Services were held at his beloved East Fork Baptist Church, led by Reverend Tom Burris, Reverend Alton Foster, and Reverend Talmage Smith.

Ray was laid to rest in East Fork Cemetery, near the family members who shaped his life. His passing marked the loss of a devoted teacher, a loving father, a faithful Christian, and a man whose compassion touched thousands.

Legacy and Influence

Ray Moore Clower’s legacy is found in the people he raised, taught, coached, and inspired. While his father earned national fame, Ray’s influence was more intimate—woven into the stories of students he guided, community members he encouraged, and family he loved.

His life demonstrates that greatness is not always public. Sometimes it is lived out in classrooms, church pews, and quiet acts of kindness. Today, Ray is remembered as a pillar of his community, a source of strength for his family, and a man whose values will continue to be carried forward by the generations he shaped.

Conclusion

Ray Moore Clower lived a life defined not by celebrity but by service, humility, and impact. As the eldest son of Jerry Clower, he inherited a legacy of storytelling, faith, and Southern identity, yet created his own legacy as a dedicated educator and community leader. His story reflects the heart of Mississippi—deeply rooted, faith-centered, and grounded in family. Though he left the world too soon, his influence lives on through the students he taught, the family he cherished, and the values he embodied.

FAQs

1. Who was Ray Moore Clower and why is he remembered today?

Ray Moore Clower was a respected Mississippi educator, longtime Gulfport High School coach, and the eldest son of legendary comedian Jerry Clower. He is remembered for his 30-year teaching career, church leadership, and strong community influence.

2. What was the relationship between Ray Moore Clower and Jerry Clower?

Ray was the firstborn child of Howard Gerald “Jerry” Clower, the iconic Grand Ole Opry comedian. While Jerry became a national figure, Ray built a quiet, impactful legacy through education, mentorship, and faith.

3. When was Ray Moore Clower born and when did he die?

He was born on February 14, 1953, in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and died on November 27, 2011, at age 58, in McComb, Mississippi.

4. What was Ray Moore Clower known for in his career?

He was best known for teaching and coaching at Gulfport High School for 25 years, along with earlier work at Baker High School. His students regarded him as a patient mentor and one of the most influential teachers of his era.

5. Who were Ray Moore Clower’s parents?

His father was Jerry Clower, the famous Southern comedian, and his mother was Doris Homerline Wells, a private and faith-centered figure from a long Mississippi lineage.

6. Did Ray Moore Clower have children?

Yes. He had three children—Chantel Hormuth, Sarah Escala, and Wesley Burns Clower, who passed away in 2008. Ray was also a grandfather to four grandchildren.

7. Where is Ray Moore Clower buried?

He is buried at East Fork Cemetery in Amite County, Mississippi, close to his parents and extended family.

8. What was Ray Moore Clower’s net worth?

No public records list an exact figure, but Ray lived a modest, middle-class life supported by his decades-long career in education. His value to the community is measured more in impact and legacy than finances.

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