Our beloved Robert Manning Clinkscales Jr. passed away on July 7th at the age of 39 as the result of a tragic accident on Lake Rabun,   the place he loved the most.  He lived life to its fullest on earth and brought joy and laughter to all who met him.  He will be missed deeply by all until we are reunited with him. To know him was to love him. 

 

Robert was a member at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Powder Springs, Georgia and was Baptized on January 21, 1996.  Robert attended Mount Paran Christian School graduating in 2003.  While at MPCS, he played soccer, basketball, baseball, and golf.  He attended college at Kennesaw State University with multiple studies abroad, majoring in business with a focus on international business and a minor in Spanish.  Later he pursued one of his passions and obtained a Permaculture Design Degree.

  

Robert was raised in Hiram, Georgia and spent much of his time at Lake Rabun with his family and friends. When he wasn't riding dirt bikes or four-wheelers, heli-skiing, scuba diving or traveling with his family and friends, he was at Lake Rabun spending his time surfing, hydro foiling, and teaching anyone and everyone to learn new water sports.  He loved adventure and travel and was an amazing athlete that excelled at every sport pursued. He loved traveling abroad and would always return home with amazing stories of adventure and new names added to his list of friends.  

 

Robert chose business and sales as his career path, as well as Permaculture Design, and was actively working with his lifelong best friend Josh Smith at VRGL Wealth Management as a Sales Executive.  He loved his work and was at the top of his game in his career. On the side, he also was passionate about helping clients learn the art of sustainable organic gardening. He worked and helped design and install self-sustaining permaculture farms with his fiancé Jesse Kirslis in Dillard, Georgia. He also worked tirelessly to promote carbon footprint reduction.   

 

He was always the "life of the party"! If there was a group of kids around he was in the middle organizing scavenger hunts, games, races, teaching them about nature, and how to "live simply by simply living".  To say he loved to dance would be an understatement. If he was at a party he was on the dance floor the entire time. He never met a stranger and was always smiling with the most positive attitude about every situation. Robert had a gift of spreading joy and happiness everywhere he went. His son Thomas was the light of his life and his Family and his Faith were his grounding. Our loss is Heaven's gain.  

Robert is survived by his son Thomas Robert Clinkscales, parents Bobby and Melissa Clinkscales, beloved sister and closest confidant Natalie Clinkscales, fiancé Jesse Kirslis, Grandmothers Lettie Thackston and Margie Clinkscales, Uncles and Aunts Reggie and Wendy Thackston of Forsyth, Georgia and Jeff and Kathy Vrabec of Houston Texas.  He is also survived by many cousins.  He was preceded in Death by his Grandfathers, Simon Thackston and William T. Clinkscales III.   

 

There will be a Celebration of Life service at the Lake Rabun Pavilion at 1757 Lake Rabun Road, Lakemont, Georgia on Sunday July 28th from 12 pm - 3 pm.  There will be limited parking and shuttles will be available.  Please consider coming by boat and carpool if possible.  

 

In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests donations to one of Robert's nonprofit passions: The Organic Growers School or the Lake Rabun Association Scholarship Fund.   The Organic Growers School, is a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring, educating, and supporting individuals in organic farming, gardening, and sustainable lifestyles. The Lake Rabun Association is a nonprofit for scholarships for students in Rabun County for college and trade schools.  Organic Growers School | Rooting for People & Planet or checks can be mailed as "in memory of Robert Clinkscales" to Lake Rabun Foundation, PO Box 114 Lakemont, GA 30552-0002.

 

Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Georgia, is in charge of the arrangements and is honored to serve the family of Robert Manning Clinkscales Jr. If there are any questions, please call 706-782-9599. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.