Ernest Foy Clifton, age 94, died peacefully October 10, 2023, in Searcy, Arkansas. A memorial service will be held Sunday, October 15, at 2:30 p.m. at the College Church of Christ in Searcy. Noel Whitlock and Sam Billingsley will be officiating.
Ernest was born February 19, 1929, in Love County, Oklahoma. He was the son of a Pioneer Oklahoma family, Ernest H. and Maggie A. Meek Clifton. Ernest graduated from Meadowbrook High School. He was a member of the Church of Christ in Marietta, Oklahoma.
Following graduation from High School, Ernest attended Oklahoma University, majoring in accounting. His college work was interrupted when he joined the United States Air Force in 1951 during the Korean War. While he was stationed at Lowry Air Force Base in Aurora, Colorado, for basic training, he met Wanda Crumpacker, whom he married December 28, 1951. He spent two years stationed in England where his second child, a daughter, was born.
Mr. Clifton was honorably discharged from the Air Force January 14, 1955. He then completed his accounting degree at the University of Colorado in Boulder. After graduation in 1959 he moved his family to Aurora, Colorado, in 1961 to Littleton, Colorado, in 1969 to Boulder, Colorado. After his children left home in 1984, he and Wanda Moved to Westminster, Colorado and then to Searcy, Arkansas where he has resided for 19 years.
Ernest is preceded in death by his parents Ernest H. and Maggie A., his wife Wanda, and his sister Maggie Ruth Clifton Alexander. He is survived by a son Bruce Clifton and his wife Lisa Henderson of San Anselmo, California, a daughter, Diane Balbi and her husband John Balbi of Spirit Lake, Idaho, a son, Michael Clifton and his wife Nona Clifton, of Snohomish, Washington, and a son Brian Clifton and his wife Sarah Stinson, of Sacramento, California. He is also survived by two granddaughters Brenda Clifton and her husband Adrian Young of Anacortes, Washington, and Sarah Balbi and her husband Abhishek Singh, of Morgan Hill, California, and a great granddaughter Florence Balbi Singh of Morgan Hill, California.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Ukraine Missions, c/o College church of Christ, 712 East Race Avenue, Searcy, Arkansas.
Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com
2 Comments
He was a close friend, we spent a good bit of time working with his machines and tools, first in his apartment, then at his workshop We shared equipment We also had some long discussions as times went on He will be missed
Ernie was our friend and brother in Christ. He was fun to talk with and never complained. Life was fun to him. He loved to dress up and look snazzy. We will miss him; glad he got to go home.
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