Honored 1991
Lou Clinton was born on February 26, 1917 in Memphis, Tennessee. His aviation education began at Combs Field in Denver, with the Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) Program. He soloed in October 1940.
In 1944, he co-founded Clinton & Held Aviation, which he purchased in 1945, changing its name to Clinton Aviation. He was the president of Clinton Aviation from 1944 to 1974, during which time Clinton Aviation became a nationally recognized aircraft dealership and flying school.
Clinton developed his own innovative methods of promoting aircraft sales. He often exhibited an airplane at the annual National Western stock show, and flew planes to rural areas of the state. By 1950 Clinton Aviation had the highest sales of any Cessna dealer in the world. In 1968, he teamed up with the Arapahoe County Commissioners and George Wallace (Hall of Fame – 1991) founder of the Denver Tech Center, to open the Arapahoe County Airport, now known as Centennial Airport.
Lou Clinton personally instructed thousands of students, including Emily Howell Warner (Hall of Fame – 1983) and General Walt Williams (Hall of Fame – 1978).
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