James Frederick (Fred) Clifford

James Frederick (Fred) Clifford of Clarendon, passed from this Earth on March 10, 2024, at the age of 87 in his home with his daughters by his side.

Services will be held Friday, March 15, at 11:00 at the First Baptist Church of Clarendon with Reverend Lance Wood officiating. Graveside service will follow in Citizens Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, March 14th from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Fred was born in Clarendon, in 1936, to Walter and Dewey Clifford. He graduated from Clarendon High School in 1954, and then went on to attend Clarendon College, Panhandle State, where he played football, Texas Tech University, and West Texas State University. In 1959, he was drafted into the United States Army and served three years as Artillery Fire Control. He was stationed at Fort Carson, Oregon, and Ft. Polk, Louisiana. On November 10, 1961, Fred married the love of his life, Connie Ruth Thurk, his wife of 60 years.

As a young man, Fred and his brother Jack worked at Clifford’s Grocery Store delivering groceries to just about every elderly widowed lady in town. Not only did Fred deliver groceries, but he would also help the ladies on his route by doing small chores for them. He would help anyone in need. Jack and Fred sold Clifford Grocery in 1979. In 1980, Fred began selling cars for Chamberlain Motor Company. He also was head of Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon for 26 years. He spent countless hours making sure the cemetery was well maintained. He worked as a realtor for Joe Lovell Real Estate until his retirement.

In 2010, Fred received the coveted Saints’ Roost Award given by the Chamber of Commerce for his lifetime of service to the community. He also served on the CISD school board. Fred was a lifetime member First Baptist Church, Clarendon.

Fred was respected by all who knew him. His warm, endearing smile and hearty laughter will be missed by many. He was a true servant, always doing for others.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, wife Connie in 2021, brothers and sister in laws, Jack, Shirley, Bob and Wilma.
He is survived by two loving daughters, Gayla (Chris) Reynolds of Pleasanton, Texas, and Trish Clifford (Lorena) of Pflugerville, Texas. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Megan Pope, Shelby Pope (Mavrick Jewell), Ruthie Bell, James Reynolds and Will Reynolds, and two great-grandchildren, Rowan and Lana Ruth Jewell. He is survived by his niece Virginia (Brit) Patten, his niece, Cathy Clifford, nephews John Clifford and Ben Clifford, great nieces Abby (Cole)Llewellyn and Annie (Barrett) Coon, great nephews John Ray Clifford and Robert James Clifford, great-great nephews Brecken and Bray Coon, great-nieces Whitley Coon and Alaina Llewellyn; cousins, William & Walt Thompson.

A special thanks to caretakers, Nancy Owens, Danielle Sandefur, Paulette Kidd Arnold and special little helper, Oakleigh Douglass; and dear friends, Mary Neal Risley and Elmonette Bivens.

Flowers or donations are requested to be sent to the church of your choice, the Clarendon Senior Citizens (PO Drawer B), or Citizens Cemetery (P O Box 983) in Clarendon, Texas.