This is taken from a biography of Clinton Angus Zittrouer written by his family and shared at the Rahn Reunion.

Angus Clinton Zittrouer was born on Sept. 24, 1920, to Ruth Exley Zittrouer and George Franklin “Frank” Zittrouer. This firstborn son was named by his parents for his maternal grandfather, Angus H. Exley. He, along with siblings Matra and George Robert, grew up on the farm and were taught the ways of farm life. Clinton was a good-natured lad who helped his parents and attended Berryville School through the eighth grade.
Clinton worked the farm until he went to work with Francis and Hartridge Reiser in the logging business followed by a few years at Certainteed. 

While attending a party at someone’s house, he met a young lady named Lucie Rae Hinely, who struck his fancy.  They attended church together and kept in touch through letters passed by Clinton’s brother George, the “postman,” who was in Lucie’s class in Springfield.  

Clinton and Lucie were married in Ridgeland, S.C., in December of 1942.  Over the years they were blessed with four children: Norwood, Ray, Nell and Peggy.  Clinton worked at the Chevrolet place for Mr. Varnell before moving on to the Savannah Sugar Refinery in 1952, where he worked until he retired in 1985 as master mechanic after 33 years.  

People in the area have all heard about “Zitt’s Little Ponderosa,” a favorite gathering place he created for his family and friends.

Clinton loved farming and enjoying being outdoors. The Ponderosa began on the back of their property in the woods under the oak trees. Then a shed was built to protect the family and friends from the rain. A log cabin was moved back there from Mr. Bobby Kieffer’s farm and a larger log cabin came from two different locations, his grandfather Angus H. Exley’s farm and Reggie Neidlinger’s family.  Lucie and Clinton decided to ask their families to Camp out for Labor Day weekend. This tradition has gone on for 47 years from a primitive start with pitched tents, cattle trailers made into bunk beds, hammocks, cots and a privy to a much-improved facility.   

Clinton was faithful to his church, First Baptist of Springfield. He served in many capacities including deacon, on the baptismal committee, removing the bell from the old church and storing it for placement in the present sanctuary and his family has delighted in making a barrel of hand squeezed lemonade for homecoming each year. His family continues the tradition, making the lemonade each year for homecoming.

After Lucie’s breast cancer and treatments, Clinton developed health issues and found out he had an obstruction in the bile duct that proved to be malignant. He chose not to take treatments due to his age and the risks the treatment entailed, surviving for nearly a year. He had lost his brother George Robert to cancer the year before.

He was as sweet natured in his fight with cancer and death as he was in life. He left this life on May 7, 2002, one day after the birth of his fourth great-grandchild. At his death, he had 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.  

At his funeral, his great nephew, Rev. Darren Thomas, named 10 most important lessons we learned from “Daddy Clint,” as he was affectionately known by his grandchildren and great grands. We learned:

• How to make the same truck last 50 years

• A good dog is better than 1,000 friends

• Hard work never killed anybody

• Barbecue chicken is a work of art

• Every child is important

• When you laugh, laugh hard and loud

• A tractor is more than a piece of equipment, it’s a friend

• Next to God, nothing is more important than family; preserve the family

• How to be your wife’s best friend

• No matter who you are or where you have been, you will always have a place at the Ponderosa, and you will always have a place in Daddy Clint’s heart.

With Clinton Zittrouer’s passing, this area lost a great friend to so many.

Next week we will continue the story of this tradition - the 2009 edition of the famous camp out.  

This article was compiled  by Susan Exley of Historic Effingham Society.  If you have comments, photos or information to share contact her at 754-6681 or e-mail: susanexley@historiceffinghamsociety.org