Joseph W. Clokey

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Joseph Waddell Clokey (b. August 28, 1890, New Albany, Indiana - d. September 14, 1960, Covina, California) was an educator, organist and composer of sacred and secular music in the first half of the 20th Century.

He served as dean of the School of Fine Arts at his alma mater, Miami University 1939-46 and had previously been professor of organ at Miami University and Pomona College.

His work included two symphonies, two orchestral suites, a string quartet, a cello and violin sonata, twelve choral works in large form, five operas, organ suites, many organ pieces and more than a hundred published choral works. His father (also named Joseph Clokey) was a Presbyterian pastor and this was certainly an influence on his focus on sacred music. He was one of the most widely sung composers in churches during the 1950s.

His adopted son, Art Clokey is the creator of claymation characters Gumby, Pokey and Davey and Goliath. Gumby's distincitve swept-up hair was inspired by a photograph of a youthful Joseph Clokey on a bad hair day that amused his son, Art.

For a time, there was a building on the Miami University campus named Clokey Hall.