Harley Stephen Clemons went to be with his Lord and Savior on November 30 2022. He's probably already telling his stories and talking with his uncle Hall of Fame Trainer "Woody" Stephens! He was predeceased by his parents Harley W. and Lillie Stephens Clemons. Born in Lexington on June 6, 1940, Harley loved Lexington and spent most of his life here with the longest time away at one time being 29 days! He is survived by his wife and best friend Pamela Spies Clemons, daughter Andrea Clemons, stepchildren Chris Howard, Ashley (Andy) Petry, Peter (Kristi) Howard, and 6 grandchildren who loved Papa Harley so much. Another great love throughout his life were his 6 Yorkies. Harley graduated from Layette High School where he was a great baseball player and attended UK. Here his passion grew for UK sports and thoroughbred horse racing. He attended his first UK basketball game in 1952. Harley always shared that the reason Pam married him was for his tickets. Many knew Harley as "Coach C" for all the 17 years he coached Eastern Little League baseball. Some of his former players still see him and call out Coach C. One of his passions was cooking and collecting cookbooks which he read like novels. Pam lost him one evening and found him in Chef Bobby Flay's restaurant kitchen having a session! Harley's family business was the OK Garage but that was not in his future. From the age of 12 he was mentored by his famous uncle, Hall of Fame Thoroughbred trainer "Woody" Stephens. Through "Woody" Harley grew in knowledge and had experiences only a few have even learning how to shake hands and the importance of letting the horse tell you/not you telling the horse what to do! He was a thoroughbred consultant and active at the racetrack and in sales, consulting on the purchase and racing careers of many great horses including champions Devils Bag and the great sire Gone West. He loved racing and always said he got paid for doing what he loved at Keeneland, Belmont and Saratoga! Over his 19 year tenure with Sheikh Maktoum's Gainsborough Farm, he guided the careers of many stakes winners. One of his favorite was Soviet Line who had ability and a great personality. One great moment for Pam was when Soviet Line won the Makers Mile Stake and she stood with him in the winner's circle. Harley was a member of the Keeneland Club, Thoroughbred Club of America, a Kentucky Colonel and a UK Fellow. He was fortunate to know many great people in Lexington and throughout the thoroughbred world. Those who knew him were always entertained by his "stories" which he always prefaced with "let me tell you one more". Although he was encouraged to write a book, he preferred to share these one to one. Through his work he traveled to many places and met many people and in his later life was surrounded by pictures of a lifetime of memories from his love of horses and life with Pam and the many people he knew and worked with. Harley led a life focused on his love of his Lord and Savior so was at peace with his upcoming passing. The family want to express gratitude to those who took care of him especially Dr. James Crager, the staff of Sayre Christian Village, Bluegrass Navigators, caring friend Tricia Benavente and caregiver Ashley Gates. Two phrases Harley has been driven by and we want to share to others are: "you are doing something important if you can help a child" and "keep the main thing the main thing (God). A Celebration of Life service for Mr. Clemons will be 2pm Tuesday, December 6 at Kerr Brothers Harrodsburg Rd. with Pastor Todd Nelson officiating. Visitation will be 12pm till the time of the service on Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to children's organizations, Shriners Children Hospital and Hospice of the Bluegrass (Bluegrass Care Navigators).

A Celebration of Life service for Mr. Clemons will be 2pm Tuesday, December 6 at Kerr Brothers Harrodsburg Rd. with Pastor Todd Nelson officiating. Visitation will be 12pm till the time of the service on Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to children's organizations, Shriners Children Hospital and Hospice of the Bluegrass (Bluegrass Care Navigators).