Farrell Clifford

Farrell J. Dutch Clifford passed away peacefully in Tucson, AZ, September 30, 2009. He was born to Walter Elijah Sr. and Reva Mae Clifford, March 11, 1925 in Lone Star, AZ. Having grown up as the second oldest of four children during the depression, he learned to be very resourceful. He attended the one room Lone Star School that was located on Montierth Lane, through the fifth grade, then went on to Safford schools until his junior year, when he joined the navy, serving during World War II. At the age of 21 he returned from the war to find no work available. He hitchhiked to Squaw Valley where he spent the next three years working on a ranch at Lake Tahoe, NV. He married Mary Elizabeth in 1950 and they raised three children. Over the years Dutch worked in Willcox, AZ, for Taylor Rock & Sand, as a farm laborer in Safford, and as a mechanic for Fay Gillespie in Safford, AZ. He finished his working career with the Arizona State Highway Department. In 1991, some years after his wife passed away, he married Wilma Wilson. Dutch is preceded in death by his parents, wife Mary, son Mitchell J., and wife Wilma. He is survived by his daughters Beth Rietz, and Lorean (Rick) Hennings, grandchildren Aumi (Eric) Leber, Renee Rietz, Joshua Hennings, Brandi (Tim) Clifford, Kim (Arthur) Abalos, Marty Clifford and nine great grandchildren. Dutch will be greatly missed but never forgotten. Visitation will be Monday, October 5, 2009 at McDougals Caldwell Funeral Chapel from 6 until 8 PM and 1 hour prior to funeral service. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at the Solomon LDS Chapel at 10 AM. Interment will follow at the Safford Cemetery.