Clyde Hupp's Obituary
Clyde was born in Tacoma, WA on January 28, 1930 to parents Ardee & Louise Hupp and passed away unexpectedly at the age of 83 on August 3, 2013. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1947 and went on to work at various odd jobs before sailing around the world for a year on a tramp freighter as a deck boy. At the age of 20 he joined the US Marine Corp and served in the Korean War. Clyde received his apprenticeship training at Bates Vocational School for the electrical construction industry in 1954. He worked as an electrician for 16 years before moving on to the Tacoma Urban League working under Harold Moss for 4 years in an apprenticeship outreach program. In 1974, Clyde was elected Executive Secretary for the Pierce Country Building and Construction Trades. Three years later he was then elected as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Pierce County Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO. He served in that position for 16 years before retiring in 1993. Throughout his career he promoted the importance of apprenticeship training for working people. Clyde served as a long-time civic leader in numerous areas which included: United Way of Pierce County, Tacoma Urban League Board of Directors, Tacoma-Pierce County Blood Bank, Economic Development Corp of Pierce County, Bates’ General Advisory Council, VP of the Washington State Labor Council, Governor’s Advisory Council, Tacoma School District Levy Committee, Maritime History Committee, and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. Along with the many other service organizations and activities he was involved in, he profoundly and actively supported the Democratic Party. He was instrumental to the initiation and success of Solidarity Days. Clyde was a member of IBEW for 53 years and was one of the founders of the IBEW 76 Federal Credit Union in 1957. In 1993, upon retirement, the first scholarship endowment fund for the Bates Foundation was established in his name along with the Clyde Hupp Board Room. Also, at that time, he received the Distinguished Citizen Award by the Municipal League of Tacoma-Pierce County. He was a humble man who enjoyed serving the public and meeting many wonderful people; he was generous with his time, knowledge, and resources; and he developed many deep friendships. He experienced life with passion and humor. As an avid reader who loved his country he enjoyed traveling through its many landscapes. By his side and through it all was his lovely bride, Lulu Mae Bacon from Grants Pass, OR, whom he wed in 1953 and preceded him in death in 1997. He now goes quietly to meet her once again. Also preceding him in death is his sister, Helen Basgall. Clyde is survived by his daughters Marilou Gadley (husband Roy K.), Barbara McCulloch (husband Larry Michael), and many other family members whom he loved dearly. All are very proud of his many accomplishments and the kind of man he was. We will miss him greatly. Per Clyde’s wishes there will be no public service. To honor Clyde, donations can be made to the Clyde Hupp Scholarship at Bates Technical College Foundation, 253-680-7160.
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