Broken leg couldn't keep Climer down

Cleveland, Tenn. — A single tackle ended Claude Climer’s promising football career, yet it proved to be the opening play of a far longer, more durable run in public service. The broken leg he sustained on the field never healed his desire to contribute, and Climer went on to serve 36 consecutive years as Bradley County Clerk, quietly becoming one of the most familiar faces in local government.

Friends and co-workers say the former athlete never dwelt on the injury that sidelined him decades ago. Instead, he credits a larger plan. “God has taken care of me well,” Climer remarked, summing up both the abrupt end of his sports chapter and the steady arc that followed.

During his tenure, Climer oversaw elections, managed vital records, and modernized office operations, earning bipartisan respect for accuracy and fairness. Even after retiring, he remained a fixture at community events, a reminder that resilience can outlast physical setbacks.

From Friday-night lights to the clerk’s office, Climer’s story illustrates how one chapter’s close can become another’s kickoff.