Palestine High School Alumni Association

Mr. Clarence C Clifton, Jr. passed from this life quietly on 15 September 2015 after a short illness.

Mr. Clifton, affectionately known as “CC” by family and friends, was a long-time resident of Palestine. CC was born in Cleburne, Texas on 14 May 1925 and moved to Palestine at a young age. He graduated from Palestine High School, Class of 1942. In the summer of 1943, CC graduated from Nixon Business College in Palestine. Thereafter, CC went on to train at the Maritime School for the U.S. Merchant Marines. In 1944 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served out his WW II enlistment in the Naval District of New Orleans leaving as a Yeoman Second Class in 1947.

In 1945 he married Cathryn Bell from Elkhart, Texas. After leaving the Navy, CC worked for Gulf Oil Company, later Chevron Oil, for the next 30+ years. He served in various positions in the accountancy department in several locations in Oklahoma. After retiring from Gulf, CC returned to Palestine. He became very active in the First Christian Church of Palestine, where he had been baptized in 1933. He held several lay positions and was a frequent volunteer at the church. His wife Cathryn died in 1997. In 2006, CC remarried to Ms. Edwrene Van Dusen. He is preceded in death by his sisters, Norma and Helen. CC is survived by his wife Edwrene, two step-daughters, Avis and Gail; three step-grandchildren, Carl, Genevieve and Catherine; and two step-great grand-daughters, Aubrey and Julia.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, September 18, 2015, at the First Christian Church with Rev. Jordan Byrd officiating. Burial will follow at Palestine City Cemetery under the direction of Herrington / Land of Memory Funeral Home.

Condolence calls will be received from 6-8 pm on Thursday, September 17, 2015, at Herrington / Land of Memory Funeral Home.

Herrington / Land of Memory Funeral Home Website – 09 /18/ 2015