Son of John Rufus Clift and Lucille Clark, both of Diana, Giles County, Tennessee. Family farm was at Robertson Fork, halfway between Cornersville and Lynnville. Was 14 when his father died. Athletic; played football (center) for Cornersville High School.
U. S. Navy 1940-1946, nearly all in Norfolk, VA. Upon review of his birth certificate, the Navy insisted that his name was "J" "R" Clift; and that is what he was called the rest of his life if not before. Honorable discharge with rank of Chief Petty Officer.
Married Jane Bayley 10 September, 1942, evidently while on leave. Marriage ended very soon afterwards, assume by divorce.
After return to Tennessee, married Mary Frances Gillum on April 3, 1948. Mason and Woodman of the World. He built two houses and had son Adrian before leaving Lewisburg in 1956 to work for the Army Ballistic Missle Agency (later NASA) in Huntsville.
In the midst of the Cold War and Space Race, Huntsville was electric. Brick houses routinely shook for miles around whenever a static test was conducted. J. R. supervised work directly on the spacecraft, all the way from Explorer I -- our response to Sputnicks 1 and 2 -- through the Saturn V, so massive humans are like ants in comparison. Like many Huntsvillians, in 1969 he hauled his whole family down to Cape Canaveral to witness firsthand the Apollo 11 launch.
He and wife Frances built and lived in four houses in Huntsville, the last one at U.S. 72 and Indian Creek (128 Country Road), almost directly across the highway from the cemetery where he now rests. Had three other children: Stephen Lowell, Bonnie, and Robin.
Frugal and resourceful. Enjoyed maintaining and perfecting his property. We always had the best-looking lawn in the hood. Always had a big vegetable garden - with 6-8 fruit trees on Holmes - except when living on the small lot on Russell Hill. Also while on Holmes he was able to hunt quail behind the property, and he trained AKC German Pointers to help. It was an amazing thing to watch.
Thoroughly enjoyed people and church life. Active, diligent, and generous Southern Baptist. Sunday School Teacher and Superintendent. Gideon. Lived strictly according to his faith, as anyone who knew him would attest. Adrian was runner-up in the 1962 State Sword Drill competition finals in Shocco Springs. Both Steve and Bonnie were in the G.A. courts of the preacher's daughters. Stern but fair parent.
Had numerous health problems as an adult but always pressed on. Got caught up in a "Reduction-in-Force" in his early 50's but was able to retire with a reduced pension. Held a few jobs afterwards, and enjoyed the fellowship of his part-time Avis drivers until the every end.
After Frances died somewhat unexpectedly in 1992, he married Mary Ann Talley of Lewisburg. They were on a church trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina when he died suddenly of a heart attack. His funeral was well attended and a worthy tribute to a worthy man
U. S. Navy 1940-1946, nearly all in Norfolk, VA. Upon review of his birth certificate, the Navy insisted that his name was "J" "R" Clift; and that is what he was called the rest of his life if not before. Honorable discharge with rank of Chief Petty Officer.
Married Jane Bayley 10 September, 1942, evidently while on leave. Marriage ended very soon afterwards, assume by divorce.
After return to Tennessee, married Mary Frances Gillum on April 3, 1948. Mason and Woodman of the World. He built two houses and had son Adrian before leaving Lewisburg in 1956 to work for the Army Ballistic Missle Agency (later NASA) in Huntsville.
In the midst of the Cold War and Space Race, Huntsville was electric. Brick houses routinely shook for miles around whenever a static test was conducted. J. R. supervised work directly on the spacecraft, all the way from Explorer I -- our response to Sputnicks 1 and 2 -- through the Saturn V, so massive humans are like ants in comparison. Like many Huntsvillians, in 1969 he hauled his whole family down to Cape Canaveral to witness firsthand the Apollo 11 launch.
He and wife Frances built and lived in four houses in Huntsville, the last one at U.S. 72 and Indian Creek (128 Country Road), almost directly across the highway from the cemetery where he now rests. Had three other children: Stephen Lowell, Bonnie, and Robin.
Frugal and resourceful. Enjoyed maintaining and perfecting his property. We always had the best-looking lawn in the hood. Always had a big vegetable garden - with 6-8 fruit trees on Holmes - except when living on the small lot on Russell Hill. Also while on Holmes he was able to hunt quail behind the property, and he trained AKC German Pointers to help. It was an amazing thing to watch.
Thoroughly enjoyed people and church life. Active, diligent, and generous Southern Baptist. Sunday School Teacher and Superintendent. Gideon. Lived strictly according to his faith, as anyone who knew him would attest. Adrian was runner-up in the 1962 State Sword Drill competition finals in Shocco Springs. Both Steve and Bonnie were in the G.A. courts of the preacher's daughters. Stern but fair parent.
Had numerous health problems as an adult but always pressed on. Got caught up in a "Reduction-in-Force" in his early 50's but was able to retire with a reduced pension. Held a few jobs afterwards, and enjoyed the fellowship of his part-time Avis drivers until the every end.
After Frances died somewhat unexpectedly in 1992, he married Mary Ann Talley of Lewisburg. They were on a church trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina when he died suddenly of a heart attack. His funeral was well attended and a worthy tribute to a worthy man
Son of John Rufus Clift and Lucille Clark, both of Diana, Giles County, Tennessee. Family farm was at Robertson Fork, halfway between Cornersville and Lynnville. Was 14 when his father died. Athletic; played football (center) for Cornersville High School.
U. S. Navy 1940-1946, nearly all in Norfolk, VA. Upon review of his birth certificate, the Navy insisted that his name was "J" "R" Clift; and that is what he was called the rest of his life if not before. Honorable discharge with rank of Chief Petty Officer.
Married Jane Bayley 10 September, 1942, evidently while on leave. Marriage ended very soon afterwards, assume by divorce.
After return to Tennessee, married Mary Frances Gillum on April 3, 1948. Mason and Woodman of the World. He built two houses and had son Adrian before leaving Lewisburg in 1956 to work for the Army Ballistic Missle Agency (later NASA) in Huntsville.
In the midst of the Cold War and Space Race, Huntsville was electric. Brick houses routinely shook for miles around whenever a static test was conducted. J. R. supervised work directly on the spacecraft, all the way from Explorer I -- our response to Sputnicks 1 and 2 -- through the Saturn V, so massive humans are like ants in comparison. Like many Huntsvillians, in 1969 he hauled his whole family down to Cape Canaveral to witness firsthand the Apollo 11 launch.
He and wife Frances built and lived in four houses in Huntsville, the last one at U.S. 72 and Indian Creek (128 Country Road), almost directly across the highway from the cemetery where he now rests. Had three other children: Stephen Lowell, Bonnie, and Robin.
Frugal and resourceful. Enjoyed maintaining and perfecting his property. We always had the best-looking lawn in the hood. Always had a big vegetable garden - with 6-8 fruit trees on Holmes - except when living on the small lot on Russell Hill. Also while on Holmes he was able to hunt quail behind the property, and he trained AKC German Pointers to help. It was an amazing thing to watch.
Thoroughly enjoyed people and church life. Active, diligent, and generous Southern Baptist. Sunday School Teacher and Superintendent. Gideon. Lived strictly according to his faith, as anyone who knew him would attest. Adrian was runner-up in the 1962 State Sword Drill competition finals in Shocco Springs. Both Steve and Bonnie were in the G.A. courts of the preacher's daughters. Stern but fair parent.
Had numerous health problems as an adult but always pressed on. Got caught up in a "Reduction-in-Force" in his early 50's but was able to retire with a reduced pension. Held a few jobs afterwards, and enjoyed the fellowship of his part-time Avis drivers until the every end.
After Frances died somewhat unexpectedly in 1992, he married Mary Ann Talley of Lewisburg. They were on a church trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina when he died suddenly of a heart attack. His funeral was well attended and a worthy tribute to a worthy man
U. S. Navy 1940-1946, nearly all in Norfolk, VA. Upon review of his birth certificate, the Navy insisted that his name was "J" "R" Clift; and that is what he was called the rest of his life if not before. Honorable discharge with rank of Chief Petty Officer.
Married Jane Bayley 10 September, 1942, evidently while on leave. Marriage ended very soon afterwards, assume by divorce.
After return to Tennessee, married Mary Frances Gillum on April 3, 1948. Mason and Woodman of the World. He built two houses and had son Adrian before leaving Lewisburg in 1956 to work for the Army Ballistic Missle Agency (later NASA) in Huntsville.
In the midst of the Cold War and Space Race, Huntsville was electric. Brick houses routinely shook for miles around whenever a static test was conducted. J. R. supervised work directly on the spacecraft, all the way from Explorer I -- our response to Sputnicks 1 and 2 -- through the Saturn V, so massive humans are like ants in comparison. Like many Huntsvillians, in 1969 he hauled his whole family down to Cape Canaveral to witness firsthand the Apollo 11 launch.
He and wife Frances built and lived in four houses in Huntsville, the last one at U.S. 72 and Indian Creek (128 Country Road), almost directly across the highway from the cemetery where he now rests. Had three other children: Stephen Lowell, Bonnie, and Robin.
Frugal and resourceful. Enjoyed maintaining and perfecting his property. We always had the best-looking lawn in the hood. Always had a big vegetable garden - with 6-8 fruit trees on Holmes - except when living on the small lot on Russell Hill. Also while on Holmes he was able to hunt quail behind the property, and he trained AKC German Pointers to help. It was an amazing thing to watch.
Thoroughly enjoyed people and church life. Active, diligent, and generous Southern Baptist. Sunday School Teacher and Superintendent. Gideon. Lived strictly according to his faith, as anyone who knew him would attest. Adrian was runner-up in the 1962 State Sword Drill competition finals in Shocco Springs. Both Steve and Bonnie were in the G.A. courts of the preacher's daughters. Stern but fair parent.
Had numerous health problems as an adult but always pressed on. Got caught up in a "Reduction-in-Force" in his early 50's but was able to retire with a reduced pension. Held a few jobs afterwards, and enjoyed the fellowship of his part-time Avis drivers until the every end.
After Frances died somewhat unexpectedly in 1992, he married Mary Ann Talley of Lewisburg. They were on a church trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina when he died suddenly of a heart attack. His funeral was well attended and a worthy tribute to a worthy man
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