Associate pastor, Lady Redhounds sportscaster Gus Clouse remembered for having a ‘real servant’s heart’

If you were in Corbin and you overheard somebody talking about “Gus,” then there is a pretty good chance they were referring to Gus Clouse, who you would usually find with a smile on his face.

Gus Clouse passed away unexpectedly Monday morning.

Gus served on the staff at Grace on the Hill Community Church since 1990 and was serving most recently as associate pastor.

Gus was a broadcaster and the longtime voice of the Corbin Lady Redhound high school basketball team. He coached various youth sports.

“I love sports and the outdoors. I enjoy humor and the simple things of life. I am the eternal optimist … I try to look for the good in people and remember that God loves them, no matter what. I have a great family,” Gus wrote about himself on his Facebook page.

Gus passed away unexpectedly Monday morning at the age of 66.

Grace on the Hill Senior Pastor Gordon McClure described Gus as the guy, who would just do whatever needed to be done.

“He did a little bit of everything. He was a Swiss Army knife is what I called him. Kids ministry, youth ministry, pastoral care ministry, he did really pretty much everything but the senior pastor role over the years. He was the guy, who would just step in if there was a need. He just had a real servant’s heart,” McClure said.

McClure, who has only been at the church since November, said it was pretty obvious to him early on that Gus was a big part of the community in general in addition to being a big part of his church family.

“We would go on hospital visits and every time we would run into somebody that he knew. It was never the same person twice,” McClure noted.

McClure said that Gus was so well loved because of his great sense of humor and his ability to relate to so many people.

“He always had a great sense of humor and a sharp wit. He just really made everybody feel welcome and at home. He was a person, who just had that ability. Not everyone has that ability,” McClure added. “He has left a wonderful legacy of the heart of a servant. He would do anything that needed to be done.”

Gus worked as the morning show host of WCTT AM for many years and as a sports caster, WCTT said in announcing his passing Monday morning.

“It’s with heartbreak that we let everyone know that one of our beloved sportscaster Gus Clouse passed away this morning. We mourn the loss of our dear friend and sportscaster. His love for the Lady Redhound basketball team and its players was evident in every game he called,” WCTT wrote in a Facebook post.

“We mourn the loss, but also honor the legacy of Gus Clouse – a true champion of the Lady Redhound basketball team and a beacon of kindness in our community. His dedication to the youth will continue to inspire us all. We at T-107.3 and our family of stations are grateful to have had him as part of our family.”

Corbin Lady Redhounds Head Coach Isaac Wilson said that Gus meant a lot to the program and to him.

“He was always there like clockwork for any of our home games. He always kept up with all the girls, and would come down to their signings when they signed to go to a college or something. He has kept up with all the ones I have coached the last seven years. He always stays in touch,” Wilson said. “He has been a big part of our program.”

Not everyone enjoys women’s sports and Wilson said that Gus’ passion for the Lady Redhounds and their players is something that he will always be grateful to Gus for.

“He did it with such joy. He just seemed to fit that is the best way I can describe it. His personality was almost perfect for it,” Wilson noted.

“The Lady Redhounds program in particular, but I think all of Redhound Nation is definitely going to mourn Gus. He is definitely going to be missed. It is going to be hard to replace somebody with his enthusiasm. He had such a knack of being able to put a smile on your face no matter what was going on at that moment. He is truly missed by us and Redhound Nation.”

By Monday afternoon, over 200 comments about Gus had been left on Grace on the Hill’s Facebook page.

“Please, Corbin community be in prayer as we have lost a shining light and a constant source of inspiration and example of living out your Christian faith. May God comfort Glenda, his children and family, church family, sports family, and so many other areas Gus touched in his life,” Corbin Mayor Suzie Razmus wrote on Facebook. “What a celebration it must be in heaven for truly one of the angels that walked among us. We love you, Gus!”

Cheryl Steele Tinsley wrote that her family attended Grace on the Hill because of Gus, who helped with the indoor recreation leagues for many years and gave halftime talks to the children.

“My boys were so influenced by this Godly man, his love for God, and his ease of talking about Jesus especially to young people. What a legacy Gus Clouse has left on this earth,” Tinsley wrote.

Funeral visitation will be Thursday (June 13) from 4 – 8 p.m. at Grace on the Hill. Visitation will also take place from noon until the funeral hour at 2 p.m. on Friday (June 14) at the church.