CLIFFORD JAMES THOMPSON went to be with the Lord on January 15, 2010. He was born in Great Falls Montana on June 23, 1930 one of ten children of Joseph and Mary Thompson. His mother died shortly after his birth and it was determined that with the size of his family, baby Clifford would be better taken care of by a loving couple they knew who at the time had no children, Elmer and Mae Eller. Elmer and Mae later had three more children. So in total Clifford had six brothers and six sisters. Clifford went by the last name of Eller until 10th grade at which time he chose to go by his birth name of Thompson.
In 1948 Clifford joined the Navy and served until 1951. On leave in 1951 while visiting his Eller family who had moved to Inglewood, California, he went to a service at the Grace Methodist Church with his mother where he spotted an attractive young lady in the choir who he was later introduced to by his sisters Barbara and Mona. That attractive young lady was Marjorie Owens and the rest is history. They were married April 10, 1953. Their first daughter, Debra Sue was born in 1954 and in 1956 their daughter Diane Lynn was born.
Clifford started working in the Receiving department at Douglas Aircraft Company in 1952. In the early 1970’s, Clifford was sent to Kuwait for a month to work on a project as a maintenance Engineer. When he returned he continued to work his way up in the Company retiring in 1985 as Manager in Product Support after 33 years of loyal employment. He spent his retirement years travelling, tinkering around the house and helping whoever needed it.
Clifford Thompson was a man who loved his family more than anything and was a loyal and loving friend to those who knew him. He was so proud of his Grandchildren Matthew, Michael, Joseph, Elijah, Shannon and Daniel. Welcomed with open arms and heart his Son-in-Laws Earl and Luis, and Granddaughter- in –Laws, Lisa, Jennifer and Leila and her son Elijah. . And the absolute joy of his life in recent years was his Great Grandchildren Kaitlyn and Matthew. He provided a “Father Knows Best” home for his family in the best sense of the way.
If you would like to honor the life of Clifford Thompson by making a donation in his name the following organizations were near and dear to his heart.
Yellowstone Boys Ranch
Box 2549
Billings, Montana 59103
Cal Farley's Boys Ranch
PO BOX 1890
Amarillo, TX 79105
Nancy Mauch
Margie, girls and family,
Just wanted to let you know how sorry I was to hear about Cliff.
It was always so much fun to visit with you both when you come to grandma and grandpa's [Jim and Lillian Fairchild's] I miss all those good times.
May God bless and keep each and everyone of you.
Love Nancy
Your daughter, Debbie
I had a hard time letting you go, because I knew how much I would miss you, and I do. I thank you for always being there for me and my family. You fought a good fight. I will forever have you in my heart. I will see you again in our Heavenly home, just as God has promised. I LOVE YOU!! Debbie
Mark Spencer
Ciff was everybody’s favorite uncle. Not because our other uncles weren’t good men, but because family just seemed to come naturally to Cliff. Being a son, a brother, a husband, a father, grandfather, and uncle, seemed effortless to Cliff. Obviously, judging from the testimonies of his friends, these natural qualities even extended beyond blood. One didn’t need to be kin to be part of Clifford’s family.
For my brothers and I, Uncle Cliff was always the gracious host. When Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter came around, we would often pile into our Rambler station wagon, or AMC Ambassador and head south to Cliff and Margie’s. Cliff was also an outdoor chef, hosting many barbeque get-togethers. When my brothers and I were very young, we would get excited at the prospect of spending our Easter Sunday in Cliff’s back yard, for our annual Easter egg hunt. I miss those days. The greatest thing about Cliff and Margie, next to their incredible hospitality, was the way they brought the best out in people. The one thing you could be absolutely sure of was, they were genuine and sincere, and so were their feelings for you. The smiles that always lit up their faces were never phony, and when they hugged you, it was because they loved you.
I could go on, and wax rhapsodic about things that Cliff did for us, but I won’t. I will say, however, that Cliff and Margie were like lighthouses whenever the sea grew dark and stormy, and it did grow dark and stormy for me. Without people like Cliff and Margie, and my late grandpa Elmer, and grandma Bea, I truly do not know where I would be right now. Without the light that these spirits shined on me, I would have been lost. Clifford Thompson always had a youthful spirit, and childlike enthusiasm, and he always seemed to bring that out in the people around him…even when the darkness was all around us. He was such a good soul, who shined a wonderful light on us all, and the world is a darker place for me without his light. But heaven...heaven will be a lot easier to find for those of us still searching for it, because the light shining from behind the Pearly Gates has just gotten intensely brighter. Godspeed Uncle Cliff, second star to the right, and straight on ‘til morning.
Barbara Jean (Eller) Spencer
Cliff was my "big brother" and I have so many memories of him. Catching polywogs in the pond near Parkdale as a child, our trip to Portland during the second world war where we read comic books and ate Ritz crackers with peanut butter during the trip. After arriving there we lived way out in the country in "Hillsboro" where we lived on a small acreage. Mom and daddy both ended up working in the shipyards, mom being a "Rosie the riveter" and daddy also working on the big "Liberty Ships". Cliff and my little sister, Mona, loved climbing the cherry trees out front and we also had apple trees, a cow, 3 pigs and of course some chickens. Dad always had a "Victory Garden" and taught the children in the neigborhood how to plant and take care of them. Cliff and I helped pick green beans, tomatoes, peas and corn and helped Mom with the canning. After living on the acreage for a short time, we moved to St. John's Wood for about a year, then moved back to Great Falls, Montana.
We had dozens of cousins and aunts and uncles and enjoyed many "Fouth of July" picnics at Giant Springs, went to the "big" State Fair every year watched our sister "Mona" in the ice shows she participated in as a little girl. My dad maintained the ice rink at the Civic Center and she was able to get ice skating lessons for free, which she really enjoyed. We had a pretty normal middle class life and enjoyed all the sporting activities, school and playing baseball in the street outside our home on 7th Avenue North.
Cliff and I and later also Mona spent most Saturdays the the movies when you could get in for about 14 cents, and watch all the serials, 2 full length movies, short subjects, news and previews taking a total of about 5 hours. After the movie, we would go to wherever my mom was cooking at the time and she would make us hamburgers, chocolate milkshakes and of course french fries. This was one of our favorite weekend activities and my mom was a great cook!
I have a lifetime of memories of my big brother, but wanted to share some of the early ones that you might not have heard. He was a wonderful brother and a great friend and he will be missed so much!
sue dietz
Cliff, you would have been so proud of how margie and the girls handled everything on sunday at the service. it was truly a family tribute. we all loved you and will miss you so very much, but how lucky we feel to have enjoyed so many things with you. rest now, you have earned it.
Tony Eller
I will always remember the trip Jim and I made to Alameda to spend the summer with Uncle Clifford and Aunt Marge. That had to be one of the greatest summers of learning and fun that we could have has. I still have a very nasty scar on my finger that was from that trip. Uncle Cliff's garage door had a nail sticking from it and when I reached up to close the garage that nail ripped a nice long tear down my finger. I know it is an odd thing but it is something I always carry with me to remind me of that trip. Later in life while in the Marine Corps stationed in El Toro I always knew with Mom and Dad in Oregon and so far that I had Uncle Clifford and Aunt Margie there as family. Uncle Cliff provided me with a lot of great advice through those years that will always be remembered. Uncle Cliff, you will dearly be missed but always remembered, and someday in the future, and god willing I will see you on the other side and be able to share with you how important you were to so many people.
Aunt Margie, Debbie and Diane, I am truly sorry for the great loss in you life. I truly wish I could be there and sad that I can not, but please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Love you all very much!
Rich & Rochelle Dietz
Dear Aunt Marge and family:
We are so sorry for your loss. Rich and our
family always spoke so highly of all of you. I was also blessed to get to know you all since we started dating many years ago. You welcomed me, too, with loving, open arms as part of your family. Rich has always shared what a great uncle, father, and gentleman Cliff was. It was always fun to visit with you, either at your home, Mom & Dad's in Oregon, and the time you came to visit us in Washington. Your care of and kindness towards us and others was always very special to us. Please know you are in our hearts and prayers. They say that grief is the mind trying to reconcile what the heart can't receive. May God hold you up with His mighty right arm and give you His peace during this very painful time. We love you all--Rich, Rochelle & Sterling
JD Eller
I really SHOULD be there with you right now. It's only right. Kind of like you. Always doing the RIGHT thing. You and Aunt Margie both.
Even though we lived so far a part, I learned so much from you and Aunt Marge. Some of my tendencies, how to treat and love those that are close to you. Man, Uncle Cliff, I don't think you missed one birthday greeting or one christmas greeting through the years as I was growing up. On my birthday, I couldn't wait to get my birthday card that was usually labeled Master JD Eller on it. It was great. I love them immensely. You were always there even if you couldn't be. Some of my fondest memories growing up, had you in and Aunt Margie in it. For example, the year we spent Thanks giving together in Aloha, Oregon. Or in 1988 when me, my sis, my dad and brother spent a few days with you before going to Disneyland. Or those many summers you and Aunt Marge would come to see us for the weekend before heading off to your next destination. And in 1997 when you and Aunt Margie made a flying trip up just to be there for my sis's wedding. I remember the day of the wedding, you had to come back to my apartment to use the shower but had to take a bath because of NO SHOWER CURTAIN...Thanks for the shower curtain btw. It looked great in the bathroom. All those moments were awesome. You, you made time for all of us. And as just one of your nephews, I can NOT say thank you enough. You are by far the greatest uncle one person can have. I don't take that lightly. When I see a picture of uncle or when I define uncle. Your name comes up. With everything you did in life, you did it right. There can be no other greater example than you Uncle Clifford.
As I stated above, I should be there right now with you. I should have attempted to come down and see you more often through the years. It was only right. I didn't and all I can say is sorry Uncle Cliff. I have and will always love you. I miss you already...I miss you already...I will never, EVER forget you, Never!
Rest In Peace Uncle Clifford.
JD
Barbara Eller (Fincher)
You are, and always will be the best uncle in my life. I've never known someone so strong or happy, and helpful, the way you were and are. Never saw you down about anything, You always were so postive about everything, I learned alot by just having you in my life. Thank you for being there for me through some of the most important days of my life. I always looked up to you and still do. I know your with me today and always will be. I know your at piece now and I know that you are still watching over me, I love you Clifford so, so much. I know someday we will be together again, and I look forward to that day. God Bless.
Barbara Eller(Fincher)
Joy Eller
Clifford one day after your passing I was taking to the family, and happened to mention that you would make a perfect angel.
Your kindness, and your excitement for life has always lighted my life and a big hole is now their in its place. But believing you are with us always will help. The memories of the fun we shared, especially when you and Margie came to Barbara's wedding is something I will always remember. Thanks for being you.
Although I know you are in a better place, I will miss you greatly. I know God has saved a special place for you. Someday I hope to be as lucky. May God Bless you always.
I will always love you.
Joy Eller
Jerry Eller
Cliff I will miss you very much. Your excitement for everything youve done will be remembered by all of my family. You could not imagine how much you meant to the whole family. I know you are in a better place and I pray someday I will be with you. I could not attend your memorial, but my heart will be there for you. May God Bless and ask him to save a spot for me I truly beleve we will reunite someday.
Gary Thompson - Great Falls, MT
May the good lord bless Uncle Cliff and all the family during this trying time.
Craig Dietz
Dear Aunt Marge and Family
I always loved the great example Uncle Cliff was to us. He was always smiling and always willing to share his enthusiasm and bits of wisdom. He will truly be missed. Our love and prayers are with you and your wonderful family.
Raymone "jean" "moni" Annau
Uncle Clifford maybe gone from us here, but he certainly will never be forgotten. I remember the many trips made to Montana to see his family and I was fortunate to be able to see him at his home in Garden Grove with my mom when she was living and then later when Aunt marge was so gracious to come and get me from the hotel ( I was at a convention) so I could get a chance to see them.
Love to you all- and Uncle Ciff say hello to mom & dad all the rest
love you,
moni
Carol & Dave Garvin
Marge,& family, was so sorry to hear about Clifford from Barbara. I know the last few years had been hard on him, and all of you, you have my prayers and I have wonderful memories of Clifford when we lived in Inglewood. We alsways kept in touch at christmas, and Marge you are in my thoughts.
Carol (Ramstead) & Dave Garvin
Rayleen (Hensley) and Leonard Blixrud
DEAR MARGE AND FAMILY, WE ARE VERY SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT CLIFFORD. I HAD NOT SEEN EITHER OF YOU FOR YEARS BUT I REMEMBER WHAT A GREAT GUY HE WAS.
MAY ALL YOU MEMORIES HELP YOU NOW AND IN THE COMING DAYS. OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY
RAYLEEN AND LEONARD BLIXRUD
Eileen Hensley Norris
CIFFORD was a very wonderful man, When we were here in Great Falls, Montanan we were close and he was one of our family always, when they moved to California it was a lot different but I always loved him, like one of my nephews. I am so glad I was able to write in this
Emmet Eller
My cousin will always be remembered by his enthusiasm for life.He had this thing with his hands when he got excited. Didn't get to see him much but on sundays sometimes Elmer and Mae would come out to the farm for a great fried chicken dinner. The lord will see to it that these times will come again and families will be together. For those that are left I say we were given the gift of life and love, it will be given again and those that we love will be united in a better place where pain is no more. Love from Cousin- Emmet Eller
Shannon Laskey
As you always use to say, "Holy Catfish!" Well Holy Catfish Grandpa! You will be missed! I love you soo sooo much. Say hello to my dad for me!
dick dietz
You were always there with a helping hand and a welcome word. Never asked why, just where and what time. I will miss you buddy, until we meet again.
Eli De Luna
Grandpa you were the best!! A true hero to look up to, I love you so much! As you always so "I'm better the nothing".
Michael
Love you Grandpa! If you get work, write =)
