Clyde E. Bosket, Sr.

Clyde E. Bosket, Sr.

Clyde E. Bosket, Sr., affectionately known as, “Mr. Clyde”, also known to many as “Deacon Bosket”, made his triumphant transition into Heaven at the wonderful age of 94, on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at Lehigh Valley Health Network – Cedar Crest, with his family by his side. He was married for over 60 years to his childhood sweetheart, the late Mattie Lee (Abney) Bosket. “Mr. Clyde” was born on September 8th, 1929 in Saluda, South Carolina to the late Daniel Cleveland Bosket and the late Ida (Perry) Bosket. His parents were sharecroppers and he was raised with his sixteen siblings in a loving family-centered environment.  He graduated from Saluda Rosenwald High School. 

At an early age, Clyde was drawn to the Barber and Cosmetology profession. As young as nine years old, he was cutting the hair of family and friends. He followed his older brothers when they moved to Philadelphia, and after serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict from 1951 to 1953, he began his career in barbering and cosmetology. The Army provided him the opportunity to sharpen his barbering skills which he put to good use during his tenure in Philadelphia when haircuts at the time were only 5 cents.

In 1953, Clyde entered the Tri-County Barber School and became a certified barber in the state of Pennsylvania. He relocated to Allentown in 1956 and established his first barber shop at 215 S. 5th Street in Allentown. He became the first Master Barber in the Lehigh Valley. In 1992, he became a Certified Barber Instructor with his manager’s and teacher’s licenses, and went on to establish additional barber shops in Bethlehem and Easton, PA, and utilized all three locations to provide teaching, instruction, guidance, and nurturing to over 150 barber and cosmetology students - many of whom now own and operate their own successful business ventures. “Mr. Clyde”, as he was known throughout the Lehigh Valley, also established and successfully operated “Mr. Clyde’s Barber Shop” at the Allentown Fairgrounds for over fifteen years, and used this location to train and nurture another generation of barbers, as well as impacting an entire new community of patrons and other business owners and operators in the Lehigh Valley.   

Clyde did not restrict the providing of barbering services to just his physical locations but would provide services to residents of hospitals, nursing homes and even the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. He also developed a self-contained mobile service that he used to provide barbering services to Lehigh Valley’s seasonal migrant workforce during harvest time.

“Mr. Clyde”, was an entrepreneur in many ways.  In addition to his several Barber and Cosmetology Businesses, he also had business ventures in real estate investment; he was also a master chef and shared his great culinary talents and skills with the community at fairs and other community events; he also ran an ice cream and snow cone truck during the summers as another entrepreneurship venture, but more importantly, as another way to serve the community and to engage with people, which he loved to do.  And all along the way, he both modeled and taught his children how to be astute business people and entrepreneurs as well!

Clyde received numerous recognitions and awards throughout his lifetime, but most recently Clyde was recognized for his long-term contributions to the Lehigh Valley business community when February 24th, 2023 was deemed “Clyde Bosket Day” for both the City of Allentown and Lehigh County as part of the 2023 Black History Month celebration. 

“Deacon Clyde Bosket” as he was known to many, was a faithful member of Union Baptist Church which he joined in 1957. During these years he served in many leadership roles including Chairman of the Deacon Board, Superintendent of Sunday School, and Men’s Day Chairperson, and often used his many other skills to provide needed maintenance and repairs to the church in its earlier years. Clyde served with Union Baptist Church’s Founder, Dr. Horace A. Melton and continued to serve under the new leadership of Pastor Benjamin T. Hailey, Sr., who designated him as “Deacon Emeritus” as he willingly shared his experiences and wisdom with the younger generation of Deacons and future church leaders.  

Clyde is a Past Master of Wyoming Lodge #135 and Past Worthy Patron of Virginia E. Holland Chapter No. 86, O.E.S., and also, held the position Office of Warder. He was a member of both Masonic families for over fifty years leaving an indelible footprint of his good works. He was a 32nd Degree Mason.

Clyde was not only invested in his businesses, faith, and masonic work, but was also committed to furthering civil rights for all. He was a Gold Life Member of the Allentown NAACP and participated in the March on Washington in 1963, and advocated for Dr. King’s vision of equality. He was a consistent attendee and supporter of the Annual “Tribute To A King” celebration held at the St. James A.M.E. Zion Church each January on the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday.  He was often invited to speak at community and college events on black history and civil rights topics. 

Clyde is survived by sons: John (Minnie) Lott, Daniel (Jevata) Bosket, David Eugene Bosket, Clyde Edward Bosket, Jr.; daughters: Jennifer Deloris Davis and Carolyn Maxine Bosket; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, Godchildren, nephews, nieces, and friends. He was predeceased by son Ervin (Rick) Bosket and daughter Shirleen Singletary.

Viewing: Family and Friends Viewing and Visitation will be held on Friday, October 27th at the Jesse Johnson Funeral Home located at 426 Hanover Avenue, Allentown, PA, from 6PM to 8PM. The visitation will be broadcast on Zoom, see jessejohnsonfuneralhome.com website for the link.

Funeral Services: The “Celebration of Life & Legacy” service will be held at the Union Baptist Church located at 302 N. 6th Street on Saturday, October 28th as follows: Viewing - 10AM to 11AM; “Celebration of Life & Legacy” - Service begins at 11AM.

Internment: Tuesday, October 31st, 11AM, at the military cemetery located at

1 Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA 17003. 

“To God Be The Glory, For The Things He Has Done!” 

  Zoom information:

Meeting ID 894 2220 4208

Passcode 012436

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