Clifford Grisham

Family funeral services for longtime New L i m a resident Clifford Grisham are tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, at Swearingen Funeral Home.

Clifford’s nephew, Steven Grisham, Oklahoma City, will give a eulogy. Burial will follow at Little Cemetery.

Clifford died Friday morning, Oct. 23, at Alliance Health Seminole.

He was born Aug. 20, 1926, in Bakersfield, Mo., to James Monroe and Mollie Althea (Climer) Grisham, the second oldest of eight children. The family moved to Seminole County in the early 1930s.

Clifford attended New Lima Public Schools and entered the US Army in 1946. He arrived in Germany four months before the end of World War II, where he assisted in setting up patrols and roadblocks for the liberation of Europe and the capture of fleeing Nazis. He was discharged two years later as a T-5 Corporal.

After the war, Clifford attended National Trade School in Kansas City on the GI Bill to study auto mechanics. He then accepted a job with American Airlines in Tulsa.

During a 27-year career, he spent most weekends back in Seminole County with his family.

He bought property and cattle and spent his leisure hours hunting, trapping, fishing and camping.

After his retirement from American Airlines, Clifford returned to Seminole County, taking up residence in the home he bought his parents.

Clifford loved the Lord and for many years, attended Glad Tidings Church.

He loved walking and watching sports and game shows on television, and eating lunch at the Bus Station Cafe.

In his long life, Clifford had two relationships to which he was devoted.

For many years, he was the faithful companion of Nellie Coffman of Seminole, visiting her every day at the nursing home for the last years of her.

He later was equally dedicated to Sue Smith of Wewoka, spending as much time as possible with her during her battle with cancer until her death in December, 2016.

Clifford was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Fred and Houston Grisham; and his sisters, Lorene Joyce, Shirley Trimarchi and Linda Jones.

He is survived by one brother, Kenneth Grisham, and his wife, Sue, who make their home in Oklahoma City; and one sister, Mary Hunter, who lives in Liverpool, N.Y., with her husband Bob; and two sisters-in-law, Pat Grisham, Oklahoma City, and Rita Grisham Lester, Seminole.

He is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews, who considered him the patriarch of their family.