On May 11, James Clewer—the father of slain Lakeview resident Kevin Clewer—died of a heart attack at work, the Chicago Tribune reported. His death followed the April 28 passing of Kevin's mother, Pamela Lynn Clewer Hansen Cunningham, who died in Rockford at the age of 56 of pneumonia and complications from cancer.
James Clewer suffered a heart attack at Terry's Lincoln Mercury, where he was a service technician, Ron Clewer, his son, said. A spokesman from the Cook County medical examiner's office confirmed his death.
James Clewer would have celebrated his 57th birthday on May 16.
'This is a entire surprise,' Ron Clewer said. 'When my brother passed away, we learned he had clogged arteries. My whole family then made a pact to have our hearts checked. My dad checked out fine.'
Kevin Clewer, 31, was killed March 24, 2004. He was found stabbed to death in the bedroom of his Lakeview apartment at 3444 N. Elaine Place. Detectives continued the nationwide manhunt for a man seen with Clewer before the murder. A widely circulated sketch identified the man as 'Fernando,' described by police as white or Hispanic, 5 foot 7, about 25 years old, with an athletic build and dark wavy hair with a Hispanic or European-Spanish accent.
James Clewer and his family became fixtures in Chicago's gay community. James Clewer marched in parades, handed out leaflets, attended community meetings, and generally immersed himself in the goings-on in the Boystown area. James Clewer also is survived by his wife, Marilyn. His funeral was held May 14 in Orland Park.
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