He was born June 16, 1921 in Sasakwa, OK to Emmit Monroe and Laura (Perry) Blankenship. Over the years, Clifford worked at several different jobs including oil field drilling, owner/operator of his own trucking company, car salesman, and sales representative for Bush-Hog Manufacturing.
He proudly served his country as a corporal in the U.S. Army from 1942-1945. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge as well as four other major battles. Clifford earned the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for meritorious service.
He was united in marriage to Nellie Jean Holt on November 3, 1950 at Mena, AR. Clifford was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Holdenville, OK as well as a member of the American Legion. He enjoyed traveling, horseback riding and, most of all, spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife Nellie of York; daughters, Billie and her husband Gary Matlock of York, and Debra Blankenship of Austin, TX; grandchildren, Jay Matlock of York, Dana Matlock of Aurora, CO, Clifton Matlock of Lincoln and his children Caitlin and Reagan of Henderson; Candy Prendenville, her husband James, and their children Sean, Lauren, and Ryan of Round Rock, TX, Troy Smock, his wife Rebecca, and their children Elsa and Jonah of of Ahwanee, CA. Clifford is also survived by sisters-in-law Polly Middleton of Tulsa, OK and Janis (Gene) Chaney of Oilton, TX.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m., Saturday, October 24, 2009 at the New Life Church of the Nazarene in York with the Reverends Stephen Sheets and Tom James officiating. Local visitation will be from 1-9 p.m., Thursday and 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Friday at Metz Mortuary with the family receiving friends Friday evening from 6-8 p.m.
Military graveside services will be at 2 p.m., Monday, October 26, 2009 at the Holdenville Cemetery, Holdenville, OK. Visitation will be held Monday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Hudson Phillips Funeral Home in Holdenville.
Memorials may be directed to the Teen Challenge of the Midlands.