NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas — Charles R. “Chuck” Clement, founder of lint filter manufacturer Clean Cycle Systems and laundry/linen cart manufacturer Tecni-Quip, died Aug. 26 at the age of 94.
Tecni-Quip designed and manufactured the first enclosed aluminum and fiberglass linen distribution carts. In the 1980s, Clement developed the slimline dry-style lint filter and launched Clean Cycle Systems.
Clement was born Oct. 14, 1918, to Shelby and Charlene Clement. His mother died from tuberculosis when Chuck was 11.
In 1940, Clement was inducted in the U.S. Army. He served seven years as a first and second lieutenant and another 10 years as a reservist, earning the rank of captain.
During his tour in the Panama Canal Zone in 1944, Clement met Jane Reynolds, a civil service employee overseeing the canal's finances. They were married a year later.
After the war ended, they relocated to Los Angeles, where Jane worked as an executive secretary while Chuck attended college on the GI bill and earned a degree in aeronautical engineering. He worked many years in aircraft design and manufacturing as chief engineer for Hi-Shear Corp., Torrance, Calif.
The Clements founded Tecni-Quip in 1961 in Long Beach, Calif. She ran the office and he developed the cart product line. Sales were limited to local hospitals at first, but the company grew within a few years to encompass national distribution.
In 1984, after designing and manufacturing lint filters for other companies, the Clements created Clean Cycle Systems, which today offers domestic and international sales.
The couple worked as a team for more than 35 years and were involved in many industry trade associations as well as their church and local civic organizations. Jane died from cancer in 1994.
The companies relocated manufacturing and sales to the San Antonio area in 1996. Today, they are run by the Clements' daughter, Jo Beth, and son-in-law, Mike.
Clement met Edith Conner in 1998, and they were soon married. She died in 2010.
He remained involved in many activities, hobbies, and his church until the time of his death.
He was preceded in death by his first and second wives, his parents, and his sister, Louise Ray. Survivors include his daughter, Jo Beth Clement-Reilly, and son-in-law, Mike; a sister, Mary Tom Monette; and two grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Eagle Scout 2012/2013 Troop 317 Projects benefiting the Seguin Community, c/o TQI LLC, P.O. Box 2050, Seguin, TX 78155.
