John Clements, renowned rosarian and nurseryman, died in his home in Newberg, Oregon, from a heart attack last month.

photo by William Grant

Louise Clements, who owned Heirloom Roses with her husband, announced that she will continue to operate all aspects of the business.

Clements was born in 1936 in South San Francisco. He joined the U.S. Air Force at 19, serving in England in the air traffic control division. He returned to civilian life and became a controller with the Federal Aviation Administration until 1984. He began the Small World Miniature Roses nursery in 1972, which became the largest wholesale supplier of miniature roses in the Northwest.

Later he expanded his passion for roses to include the antique and David Austin varieties. The company became the largest family-owned rose business in the US. Clements was working on the 2008 catalogue when he died.

He suffered from heart problems throughout his adult life, surviving attacks in 1984, and in 1994 when his stepson Randy administered CPR, he gained another thirteen years of life.

They bought five acres in St. Paul in 1985, and have added more property over the years. The nursery has specialized in own-root, virus free roses from the start. Louise travelled a great deal to Europe to explore rose gardens and nurseries for rose varieties to add to their collection. Their extensive demonstration gardens are the largest on the West Coast.

His generosity to other growers was extensive, once giving 10,000 plants to a small competitor whose nursery had been flooded.

He has hybridized dozens of roses that the nursery offers along with other outlets. He recently named a new rose for his last granddaughter, Anna Louise. He is survived by his brother Gerald and one daughter, five stepchildren, sixteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.