Patrick Burton Clifford's Obituary
Patrick Burton Clifford, age 84, passed away on September 26, 2024, due to complications from cancer. He was born December 30, 1939, to Lenora Rae (Hollywood) and Jack Burton Clifford in Los Angeles, CA. Patrick enjoyed an adventurous childhood surrounded by Southern California show business, using his own imagination to re-live scenes from classics such as Tarzan and Mary Poppins. Some of these reenactments brought him close to a premature departure from this world. After attending Arizona State University for a year on a football scholarship, Patrick served in the US Navy from 1958 until 1962. After his service, Patrick settled down with a family including a daughter, Kimberly, who recently passed away in 2024. His military experience prepared him for a career in the aerospace and defense industry - a career cut short by a life-changing stroke and aneurism in 1991 that left him with significant physical challenges in the last 33 years of his life.
Throughout his life, Patrick was a seeker of truth, a higher power, and a higher commitment to a life companion. He met Brenda (Garber) on September 11, 2001, who lived in his apartment complex in Cameron Park, CA. Their conversation of the tragedies of that day sparked a lifelong friendship and eternal union in marriage. Patrick joined Brenda as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in November of 2001, followed by their marriage on December 22, 2001. Until the end of his life, Brenda provided diligent and loving care to her beloved husband. Patrick's peaceful presence, courage, and Christian discipleship had a lasting impact on all who knew him. He exemplified the words of Paul the Apostle: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" (2 Tim. 4:7).
Patrick is survived by his wife Brenda; his sister Michaelle Preston; grandchildren (Shannon, Derrick, and Elaura); great-grandchildren (Hailey, Jacob and Evan); and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren by marriage. Funeral services will be held Monday October 7th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 1460 E. 900 S. in Springville, UT. A viewing will be held at 10 am with a chapel service to follow, at 11 am.
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