Les Clemens

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An uplifting hand for those striving to move forward.

From the Farmlands to the Front Lines: A Legacy Forged in Faith and Sacrifice

Les hailed from the farmlands of Montgomery County in Southeastern Pennsylvania, roughly 30 miles northwest of Philadelphia. He was born in 1921 to a very large Mennonite family. Having come of age during the Great Depression, Les was part of a generation known for both hard work and hard times. Les’s childhood was like many young men of Mennonite background in the agrarian community of Mainland, Pennsylvania during the 1930’s.

Les’s working career began at the family business in Mainland called Pleasant Valley Packing Company, where he continued to work in the years leading up to World War II. Despite coming from a Mennonite family with a pacifist heritage, Les felt called to serve and joined the United States Army and deployed as an infantryman to Europe during World War II. This decision to join the military resulted in Les being kicked out of the Mennonite church, but he felt convicted to serve his country and defend the cause of freedom overseas. This is one of many examples of Les standing by his convictions, regardless of the consequences.

While serving in WW II Lester had a true “foxhole moment”. During the battles of the European theater and the death, chaos and carnage surrounding him, Les called out to God and pleaded with Him to help him return home safely. Up until that point in his life Les had not been living a life honoring to the Lord, despite being raised in the church. Les promised God that if He were to deliver Les out of the war safely that he would dedicate his life to serving Him. Well, God did bring Les safely out of the war. Upon returning home, Les made good on his promise to God and accepted Jesus as his Savior and dedicated himself to a life of serving the Lord.

After the war, Les resumed his work at the family business until a fire burned the business to the ground. Shortly after this tragic event, Les and three of his brothers purchased Hatfield Packing Company in 1946. Hatfield Packing is now named Clemens Food Group (a subsidiary of Clemens Family Corporation), but many will be more familiar with the name Hatfield Quality Meats. Les worked in a variety of areas in the business in the following decades and eventually retired in 1981 as CEO and Board Chairman. He was viewed by many as the “spiritual leader” of the company.

Following WW II, Les was accepted back into the Mennonite church. However, that would not last. Les eventually left the Mennonite church and was one of the founding members of Calvary Church in Souderton, Pennsylvania. One of the main reasons Les left the Mennonite church to start Calvary is because he wanted to sit next to his beloved wife, Kay, during services and men and women were forbidden during those times to sit on the same side of Mennonite churches. This was yet another example of Les standing by his convictions through action.

Lester was driven above all things by ethics and doing the right thing. He was extremely generous with his assets, his time, and his skills. Les was a compassionate listener and enjoyed visiting with and helping people in need. Les was a practical joker, had a good sense of humor and was known to be a little stubborn. Lester always shared his faith with others and loved praying with them, as well as for their families. He loved to ask people “Do you know Jesus?”. Les’s genuine love and concern for people is a large part of the inspiration of Uplifted Foundation.

Uplifted Foundation strives to carry on Les’s legacy through action, not just words.