Cover photo for Martin L. Marty Clifford's Obituary
Martin L. Marty Clifford Profile Photo
1930 Martin 2007

Martin L. Marty Clifford

December 6, 1930 — October 22, 2007

Col. Martin L. "Marty" Clifford Ret., age 76, of Ft. Worth, passed away late Monday afternoon, October 22, 2007 at his residence. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday at St. Rita's Catholic Church 5550 E. Lancaster in Ft. Worth, with Rev. Richard Flores as celebrant. Military Graveside Rites will be held 4:30 p.m. Thursday at El Reno Cemetery in El Reno, Oklahoma. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Shannon Rose Hill Funeral Home, 7301 E. Lancaster in Ft. Worth. Marty was born December 6, 1930 in Newark, New Jersey, the son of Martin Lionel and Evelyn (Berry) Clifford. He was raised in Paterson, New Jersey and graduated from St. Bonaventure High School in 1948. He then attended St. Bonaventure College in New York before graduating from Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1952. While on an athletic scholarship at Texas Wesleyan he played on the basketball team. On June 6, 1953 he was united in marriage to his college sweetheart, Frances Jean Cardwell in Pensacola, Florida. In May of 1951 Marty was commissioned in the United States Marine Corp, and was on active duty until 1962. He then served in the Marine Corp Reserves until his retirement in 1975. Marty served as a helicopter pilot and retired as a Colonel. After moving to the Chicago area in the late 1960's, Marty worked with the E. J. Brach Candy Company traveling around the world selling candy from 1965 to 1987. In 1992 they moved to the Oklahoma City area to be near family. Jean preceded him in death on October 6, 1994. On October 25, 1997 he then married Patsy (Warren) Baird in Fort Worth. Marty and Patsy are very active with the Texas Wesleyan University Alumni Association and currently served on the University Board of Trustees. Survivors include his beloved wife, Patsy Baird Clifford of Ft. Worth; a son, Martin L. "Marty" Clifford and wife Vickie of Bridge Creek, OK; two daughters, Debra Anne Schrunk and husband Charles of Oklahoma City, OK; and Nancy Jean Thompson and husband Bret of Ft. Worth; eight grandchildren, Martin "Sonny", Rick, and Veronica Clifford, Charlie, Madeline, and A.J. Schrunk, Natalie Thompson, and Joyce Wilder; two step daughters, Nan Strasburger and husband Tom of Colorado Springs, CO and Angie Whitney and husband Byron of Valley Mills; a step son, Rick Baird and wife Sheila of Chandler, AZ; six great grandchildren; nine step grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends. Pallbearers are Martin "Sonny" Clifford, Rick Clifford, Charlie Schrunk, A.J. Schrunk, Bob Whitt, and Paul Johnson. Memorials may be made to St. Rita's Catholic Church and School or Texas Wesleyan University.

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Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Graveside

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Starts at 4:30 pm (Central time)

Memorial Mass

Thursday, October 25, 2007

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