Dr. Pierre Laurent Clothiaux, MD, age 68, died of natural causes at his home in Springfield, MO, on February 18, 2025.

Pierre was born on August 28, 1956, in Pennsylvania, the first child of Clara and Eugene J. Clothiaux. Pierre was a curious and bright child who dreamed of being a doctor from a young age and never lost sight of that dream. As the eldest, he was often given responsibility for a boisterous gang of siblings and learned how to flourish in the midst of chaos. He graduated with honors from Auburn High School in 1974 and honors in chemistry from Auburn University in 1978. During his undergrad years, he worked in the office of Dr. Ray Godsil, an orthopedic surgeon who was his first mentor, wheeling patients in and out of the office, removing casts, and soaking up everything he could about the profession. He married the love of his life, Kaye Mullins, in 1979, and together they moved to Birmingham where he attended medical school at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. He completed his residency in orthopedics at the Mayo Clinic while concurrently completing his Masters at the University of Minnesota. During his time at the Mayo Clinic, he was awarded the prestigious Coventry award for his clinical research in orthopedics. Following his residency, Pierre completed his fellowship at Harvard University under Gus White at Beth-Israel Hospital in Boston. He forever extolled his praises of the Mayo Clinic as seminal to his achievement as a highly skilled surgeon.

After finishing formal training, Pierre worked as an orthopedic surgeon in Auburn-Opelika prior to moving to Springfield, MO, where he would spend most of his 40-year career. He was, in fact, still working as a surgeon at Cox Health's Ferrell Duncan Clinic at the time of his death. Pierre forged strong bonds with colleagues and co-workers, so much so that his nurse, Janice Wolters, and his PA, Dallas Gilion, worked at his side for his entire tenure at Cox Health. He also offered 24/7 support to his wide net of family and friends as they navigated tough medical issues. His poise and expertise were the gifts he shared with the world, and he always offered them with a generous heart. This was especially true for his patients, for whom he always gave his utmost attention and care.

Pierre had a passion for historical preservation and was especially captivated by the clever, elegant architectural designs of heritage homes and gardens in the South. He also had a DIY spirit and loved to problem solve and fix things himself. Pierre had a razor-sharp mind and celebrated creative analytical gifts wherever they be found. He equally appreciated people who lived simple lives with stories to tell and would talk for hours with characters many of us would never meet.

In their nearly 50 years as a couple, Pierre and his wife Kaye had three children together: Claire, Philip, and Caroline. Pierre was devoted to them, loved them fiercely, and celebrated each for their unique gifts, personalities, and humor. In private conversations he credited the strength of his relationship with Kaye, for bringing up their kids to be solid, successful people. He cherished Kaye to his last breath and would credit her for all his personal successes, which were many.

Pierre is survived not only by Kaye Clothiaux but also by his three adult children and their spouses: Claire and Wood Neely (parents of Irene and Martin), Philip Clothiaux, and Caroline and Joe DeBartolo. He is also survived by his mother Clara Clothiaux; siblings Ana-Aegi Clothiaux, Eugene E. Clothiaux, Monica Clothiaux, Jeanne Clothiaux (husband Mark Solomon); mother-in-law Joan Mullins, brother-in-law Stewart Mullins, brother-in-law Russell Mullins (wife Jamie Mullins), sister-in-law Pat Mullins, and sister-in-law Mary Styslinger-Clothiaux. He is preceded in death by his father Eugene J. Clothiaux, brother John Clothiaux, father-in-law Stanley Mullins, and sister-in-law Ginger Mullins.

Visitation will be Wednesday, February 26, 2025 from 3:30-5:00 PM at First and Calvary Presbyterian Church with a service at 5:00PM.  Burial will be in Town Creek Cemetery, Auburn, Alabama.