Leo Michael Clifford Jr. joined the angel choir on Thursday, March 5, 2020, with family by his side at his residence in Callaghan, VA.
Born on June 28, 1930, in White Sulphur Springs WV, he was the son of Leo M. and Effie Lilly Clifford.
Leo served honorably in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean war. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, Leo was a chef at The Greenbrier hotel, where he retired with 35 years of service. After retirement he continued to enjoy gardening and volunteered his pruning talent in the neighborhood and at his church. Leo always loved sports and while in school he participated in various sports earning the nickname, “Gallop.” His greatest delight was spending time with his grandson, Jarret.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Pansy “Boots” Smith Clifford; brother, Thomas Clifford; and four sisters, Lilly Lewis (Gordon), Rose Ross (Honus), Agnes Stull (Lon), and Teresa Livesay (Marvin).
Surviving to cherish his memory are his daughter, Michele C. Wright (Rev. J. Lynn Wright) of Covington, VA; a grandson, David Jarret Wright (Ashely McCaleb Wright); great-granddaughters, Regan and Kendra of Christiansburg, VA; and close friend, Regenia G. Brown. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews, and his church family at the Fletcher Chapel United Methodist Church. Leo and his family are grateful to caregivers, Janie O’Conner, Kiana Wright, Lorri Hall, Marsha Griffith, Jean Klimara, Sherry Cale, and Cyndi Bradley, who became family.
A celebration of life service was held on Sunday, March 8, 2020, at the Chapel at Arritt Funeral Home, with the Rev. Nancy Palmer officiating. Interment followed at the Fletcher Chapel Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Kevin Wright, Steve Bernard, Michael Ross, Jimmy Lewis, G.W. Lewis, Leo Lewis, Allan Levisay, Mitch Sellers, Rick Jessee, Steve Southall, and Danny Eggleston.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to Fletcher Chapel United Methodist Church, 4310 Callaghan Circle Covington, VA 24426, or to Mountain Regional Hospice, P.O. Box 637 Clifton Forge, VA 24422.
Arritt Funeral Home in Covington was in charge of arrangements.
Obituary originally published in the March 9, 2020, edition of The West Virginia Daily News.
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