Doyle Wayne Clifton Obit

Rusk Co. Cemeteries of TX

Henderson Daily News

Henderson, Texas

May 06 2006

Doyle Wayne Clifton
 

Services for Doyle Wayne Clifton, 55, will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, 2006, at Crawford-Crim-Bryan Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will be at Ebenezer Cemetery on FM 3310. Mr. Clifton passed away May 6, 2006, at Hospice of East Texas in Tyler.

Mr. Clifton was a retired chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy and a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving two tours. First tour aboard the USS America and the second tour on the USS Constellation. While in the Navy he received numerous awards and commendations throughout his 21-year career.

After retiring from the military, Mr. Clifton exchanged one uniform for another, that of a police officer. He began as a dispatcher for the Jacksonville Police Department and after completing the police academy, was a patrolman for 15 years before his retirement in October 2005. During his time as a dispatcher, he was awarded civilian employee of the year. While a patrolman, he was awarded the Lee-Zimmerman Memorial Award for Police Officer of the Year. He also claimed the American Police Hall of Fame Life Saving Award in recognition for taking action at great personal risk which resulted in the saving of a human life.

Family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday, May 8, 2006, at the funeral home.

Mr. Clifton is survived by: his wife of 15 years, Cindy and six children, Tracy Vargas and husband, Arnoldo, of Nacogdoches, Todd Clifton and wife, Kim, of Pensacola, Fla., Trae Bottoms and wife, Angelina, of Laneville, Travis Bottoms, Toby Clifton and Tori Clifton, all of Henderson. He is also survived by his mother and step-father, Fern and Morris Elliott of Rusk, Texas and stepmother, Dora Clifton of Ft. Smith, Ark. Surviving siblings include: Margaret Sue Dover of Maydell, Daryl Clifton and wife, Edwaina and Victor Clifton, all of Ft. Smith, Ark., Lori Heath and husband, Ronnie, of Buchanan Dam, Texas and sisters and brothers-in-law, Cheryle and Randy Griffith, Cathy and Stephen Bristow. His grandchildren are: Alex, Anthony, Avery, Addison and Amelia Vargas, of Nacogdoches and Preston Bottoms of Laneville. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, friends and family whom he loved.

Pallbearers will be Randy Griffith, Stephen Bristow, Clint Partin, Bradley Benson, Jeremy Grimes and Blake Humber. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Fraternal Order of Police.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund, 410 N. Marshall St., Henderson, TX 75654, Second Baptist Church General Fund, 509 West Main St., Henderson, TX 75654 or Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75701.

Online tributes and condolences may be made to www.mem.com.