Clarence Clifford Cress, 94, passed away Friday, March 4, 2016, at the Heritage Park Care Center in Carbondale, Colo. He was born Nov. 17, 1921, to Clarence and IdaMae Cress in Talmage, Kan. His schooling was in Abilene, Kan. and Longview, Texas.
Clifford married Beatrice Prentice in 1948. She preceded him in death in 1951 after a fatal car crash. He married Eunice Thompson on Nov. 17, 1961. She preceded him in death on July 8, 2013.
Clifford worked in the oilfields of Texas, New Mexico and Colorado for many years. He then worked for ColoWyo mines, retiring in 1986.
He enjoyed camping, fishing and traveling, playing cards with friends and family, arrowhead hunting and collecting rocks with Eunice. He and Eunice spent nearly 50 years enjoying activities in and around Meeker, Colo. He assisted Eunice in raising her nine children.
Clifford was a longstanding member of Rio Blanco Masonic Lodge No. 80 of Meeker. During World War II, he served with the Texas National Guard.
Mr. Cress is survived by: one niece, Susanna Patterson of Longtown, Okla.; six stepchildren; and one daughter, Janis Adkison of Greenwood, La., adopted by his sister after the death of Beatrice.
Preceding Mr. Cress in death were: his parents; first wife Beatrice; second wife Eunice; a brother, John Cress; a sister, Twila Hamm; and three stepchildren.
Cremation has taken place. Services will be conducted by the Masons at a later date, when his ashes will be interred with Eunice.
Please donate to your desired charity, church, school or organization on behalf of Clifford Cress.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Blackburn Vernal Mortuary. wwwblackburnvernalmortuary.com