KEITH FRANKLIN CLIFTON

 

 CLASS OF 1946

SEPTEMBER 29, 1928 - OCTOBER 30, 2014

Keith Franklin Clifton age 86, of Paola, Kansas died Thursday, October 30, 2014 at the Olathe Medical Center Hospice House in Olathe, Kansas.

Keith was born in Paola, KS on September 29, 1928 the only child of John Monroe and Katherine Emma (DeCou) Clifton.

He grew up in Osawatomie, Kansas and attended school in the Osawatomie school system and graduated from Osawatomie High School with the class of 1946. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps for two years.

After his discharge from the military he enrolled at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. While still attending the university he married the love of his life, Naomi Crellin on Easter Sunday, April 13, 1952. They became the parents of three children. Naomi died on December 16, 2012, they had been married for sixty years.

Keith graduated from Kansas University in 1953 with a business degree and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He served for two years.

He went to work for Interstate Bakeries in Kansas City, Missouri after his discharge from the Air Force in 1955. Keith was transferred to Emporia, Kansas to be the office manager and plant controller of the new Dolly Madison Cake Plant in 1964.He retired in 1993 as the Director of Computer Systems after more than thirty-eight years with the company.

Keith loved music and particularly the jazz music of the 30’s and the 40’s. He learned to play the trumpet in the sixth grade and played in a high school dance band and in a dance band in college. After retirement he played in the Band of Oz, The Junk Yard Jazz Band in Lawrence, and the Twin Rivers Jazz Band around this area.

He was a member of Lodge #37 of the Masonic Order in Paola, Perfection Chapter #21 Eastern Star in Paola, and Evelena Chapter #435, in Lane, Kansas. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #152 in Paola and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Osawatomie, Kansas.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

He is survived by their three children: Pamela (Stan) Weatherford of Edmond, OK, John (Brenda) Clifton of Emporia, KS and Robert (Andrea) Clifton of Topeka, KS, six grandchildren, eight great grandchildren along with many other family members and friends.

Keith’s wishes were cremation with a private family committal of ashes next to his wife Naomi in the Osawatomie Cemetery, Osawatomie, Kansas.

PRIVATE FAMILY COMMITTAL OF ASHES AT OSAWATOMIE CEMETERY, OSAWATOMIE,KANSAS

MEMORIAL: FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF OSAWATOMIE

Memorials may be sent in care of Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home, P.O. Box 430, Osawatomie, KS 66064.

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