Clarence Lee Thorpe, Jr. affectionately known as "Buddy", of South Chesterfield, VA departed this life on July 4, 2026, at VCU Health Medical Center. He was born on April 4, 1947, to the late Clarence Thorpe, Sr. and Nellie Brown Thorpe Ross. At an early age, Clarence accepted Christ as his Savior and was baptized at Union Grove Baptist Church. During his youth, he was a member of Boy Scout Troop 139, which was sponsored by and met at the church. He graduated from Carver High School in Chesterfield County with the Class of 1965.

Shortly after his graduation from high school, Clarence was drafted into the United States Army and served with the 1st Cavalry Division for two years, including a one-year deployment in Vietnam. During his military service, he earned several distinguished honors, including two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in ground combat operations against hostile forces. Though his time in the Army was brief, his courage and dedication left a lasting impact.

Upon his return home, Clarence resumed employment with Reynolds Metals where he dedicated 39 years of service before retiring in 2005. During retirement, he enjoyed fishing, gardening, playing cards, cheering on his favorite football team, the Washington Commanders, and spending time with family and friends.

Clarence was preceded in death by his infant son, Terrell Thorpe; his parents; bonus mother, Elva Ernestine Thorpe; brothers, James Oliver Thorpe and Nathaniel Thorpe, Sr.; and grandparents, Waverly Brown and Estelle Brown, William Thorpe and Carrie Thorpe; and his bonus grandmother, Lula Thorpe.

He leaves to cherish his memories his loving and devoted wife, Camilla Thorpe; his sons, Tijuan Thorpe (Tanya) of Chesterfield and Timothy Thorpe of Henrico; bonus sons, Shannon Tabb of Stafford and Emmett Tyler of Chesterfield; his grandchildren, Tirahn Thorpe and Talona Thorpe of Maryland, Tamontray Gaines of Henrico, Taiylor Henderson of Washington, DC, Kara Thorpe and Kayla Thorpe of Chesterfield, Aundrea Baker of Henrico, Keaira Tabb of Texas, Keshon Tabb and Christian Tabb of Chesterfield, Samara Tyler of Henrico, Carlos Tyler and William Tyler of Chesterfield; four great grandchildren; one brother, Phillip Thorpe, Sr. (Betty) of Chesterfield; brother-in-law, Irving Tabb, Jr. (Valeria) of Williamsburg; sisters-in-law, Felecia Thorpe of Chesterfield and Paulette Tabb of Charles City; aunts, Charlotte Bell (Sidney) and Brenda Cole of Chesterfield, Joyce Terry (Franklin) of Richmond, Etta Bell Hawley (Raymond) of North Carolina, Arlene Wilson of Maryland, Alma Kemper of North Carolina, Delores Goode of Chesterfield, and Virginia King of North Carolina; uncles, Alvin Brown (Margaret) and Gerald Brown (Bernice) of Chesterfield, James Brown (Gloria) of Georgia, and Calvin Brown of Dinwiddie; three close friends, Garland Moore, Robert Buck, and Kenneth Pettigrew; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Union Grove Baptist Church Building Fund in memory of Clarence Thorpe, Jr. Donations may be mailed to the church at 19111 Church Road, South Chesterfield, VA 23803 or via Givelify at: https://www.givelify.com/donate/union-grove-baptist-church-south-chesterfield-va-2j7wy5NTg5MjE=/donation/amount

Services will be held 11:00 A.M., Friday, July 17, 2026, at The Baptist Center of Virginia, Inc. (formerly the Children's Home of Virginia Baptist), 6900 Hickory Road, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Dr. William E. Johnson III, eulogist. The interment will be held 1:00 P.M., Monday, July 20, 2026, at Virginia Veterans Cemetery at Amelia.

J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com. Watch the funeral services live online on our J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc. Facebook page or click here to view: https://vimeo.com/event/6056712?fl=so&fe=fs