Heriot (Rhett) Clarkson
March 4, 1938 - June 20, 2025
Heriot (Rhett) Clarkson, died Friday, June 20, 2025. Rhett is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years (Jan); and his three sons: Thomas Simons Clarkson II, Miles Hardy Clarkson (Charlotte), and Edward Cole Clarkson (Macon); and his six grandchildren: Thomas and Lila, Whitney and Adelaide, and Libby and Conway, who all fondly called him "Jett".
Rhett was born in Houston, Texas, on March 4, 1938. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frances Cole Clarkson and The Reverend Thomas Simons Clarkson; and his sister Ellen Clarkson Gilliam.
Rhett graduated from St. Stephen's School in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1957 and Virginia Military Institute in 1961 with a civil engineering degree.
He founded Virginia Precast Corporation in 1969 and was CEO for 21 years until he sold the company, but he remained as a regional manager for ESSROC and then later as a consultant for Americast, while also following his entrepreneurial instincts. Over the years, Rhett served on numerous community and business-related boards: Elk Hill Farm, Windsor Farms Association, Virginia Utility Contractors Council, Chairman of the Public Safety Committee of the Governor's Commission on Government Reform, State Air Pollution Control Advisory Board, Horne Engineering Company and Small Business Advisory Board. His loyalty to VMI was exemplified by serving on the board of the VMI Keydet Club, the VMI Foundation, the VMI Board of Visitors, and the George Marshall Foundation.
Rhett was an avid fisherman, having grown up fishing the streams of western North Carolina with his father in the summers and then later enjoying all manner of fly fishing, near and far, as well as freshwater fishing in Virginia and West Virginia. He shared his enthusiasm for fishing, hunting, golf, and snow skiing with his three sons from their early years and beyond. In his later years, as a member of Custis Fishing and Hunting Club, he spent many happy hours fishing Custis Mill Pond.
"The Jett" was always the life of the party, and his fun-loving and generous spirit will always be remembered.
A private service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Chaplain Thomas Simons Clarkson Memorial Scholarship at VMI, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450 or The Reverend Thomas Simons Clarkson Memorial Scholarship at St. Christopher's School, 711 St. Christopher's Road, Richmond, VA 23226.
Bliley's Funeral Home
3801 Augusta Avenue
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