The Clarence Tuma Papers consist of the Tuma family genealogy, newspaper clippings, magazine articles, speeches, recipes, menus, bank statements and awards and certificates. The topically grouped material is arranged alphabetically. Newspaper clippings,1960 – 2007, include information on Tuma’s World War II Service, The Embers, and the Rashid Family. Photographs consist of Tuma’s service in World War II, family, The Embers, and Rashid Family Reunions. A special note is to be given to three photographs in the collection of a funeral of an unidentified individual. Also included are awards and certificates, 1964-2007, and plaques comprising of the Trustee Appreciation Award, the Salut Au Restaurateur Award, and the Alumni Recognition Award. Oversize Folder 1 contains oversized documents such as bank statements and certificates. Oversize Folder 2 contains family photos. Oversize Folder 3 contains a photograph of the Embers Restaurant in Traverse City, Michigan. Oversize Folder 4 contains photos of the Rashid Club of America.
Electronic sources include DVDs of Clarence Tuma’s 80th Birthday, the 75th Reunion of the Rashid Club of America and the Lion’s Club Farewell to the Embers. A cassette tape is also included, which is titled “Congratulations Clarence and Janet Tuma.” A later addition includes a thank you note from Rosalynn Carter, 2015.
Biography:
Clarence Tuma (1925-2016) was the son of Ameen and Abeeda Rashid Tuma who immigrated to America from Lebanon. Clarence graduated from Berkley High School in 1942 and upon graduation entered the U.S Army at 18 years of age in 1943. He joined the 789th Anti-aircraft Battalion and served until the end of World War II in 1945. He attended Central Michigan University and graduated in 1950 with a degree in Manual Arts and Sports. However, Clarence pursued his culinary talent and opened The Embers, a gourmet dining restaurant, in 1958. In 1990, Clarence sold The Embers to his son, Jeff, who remained its owner until the restaurant closed in 2007. Clarence was married to Janet Thorne, with whom he had five children: Jeffrey, David, Mary Beth, Amy, and Scott.
Clarence Tuma received many awards and much recognition for his work in the Mount Pleasant Community. In 1974, Clarence was named the Outstanding Citizen of the Year and in 2004 received the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. He was appointed as an ambassador for Michigan Tourism and was a recipient of the Michigan Restaurant Association’s Distinguished Service Award. Clarence Tuma received the honorary degree of Doctor of Public Service from Central Michigan University in 2007. (This information is from the collection.)
